Mobile starts in Queensland have been stopped since this accident at Redcliffe a week ago when the barrier arms failed to retract and hit bystanders.
With no mobile, Al is keeping Trojan away from harm and is likely to wait until Friday
By Barry Lichter • 31 March 2019
Trainer Al Barnes is likely to scratch Trojan Banner from his race on Tuesday as the aftermath of last week’s serious accident at Redcliffe impacts on racing at Albion Park.
No mobile starts are being held in Brisbane while an inquiry is held into why the arms of the gate did not retract at Redcliffe, striking a family that was watching the race from a spectators’ area alongside the track.
Barnes is good friends with the Whittaker family, who live just down the road, and says his heart goes out to Gary and Joedy whose two-year-old daughter Lara is still in a coma.
“It was a very serious accident and we’re all hoping Lara pulls through.
“It was also tough on a lot of people who saw it, including my young fella Hayden, and there are a lot of health and safety problems now.’’
Trainer Al Barnes with son Brendan.Barnes says he believes Queensland Transport has ruled the mobile vehicles to be non complaint because the mobile structure is too heavy for the back of the ute.
“They’re trying to get it rectified by Tuesday but in the meantime they’re doing walk up starts.
“Trojan Banner isn’t used to that and I don’t want to put him in any danger - there have been a lot of false starts with horses shying and locking wheels.
“And they’re just not very professional - with the rolling starts you’re supposed to stay level with the clerk of the courses, on the inside and outside of the field, but all the kids are cheating the system and pinching half a length. The starts aren’t fair.’’
Barnes says he will wait until the last minute but it’s more likely he’ll pull Trojan Banner out and start him instead on Friday, when the gate issue is expected to be solved, and where he would also meet easier company.
When the race he planned to run Trojan Banner in on Tuesday was scrapped, Barnes put him in the c2 to c3 event, even though ther colt is still rated a c1.
While he says the opposition doesn’t really worry him, the fact the best chances are drawn one and two, means from five Trojan Banner will probably have to sit outside them.
“Left A Terror and Smart As Camm Be are two of the better three-year-olds in Queensland, and it would have been a good test for him, but we don’t have to meet them just yet and it only means waiting for three days.’’
Barnes reports Trojan Banner is in fantastic condition.
“He’s really bright and doing well and should continue on his (winning) way.’’
Barnes will also nominate Lincoln Farms’ other resident Lincoln’s Girl for Friday’s meeting.
“I was going to trial her but her work has been good enough for the grade she’s in.
“I’ll race her if the three-year-old maiden field holds up, because they’re pretty weak, but if she can only go in a c0-c1, I’ll trial her.’’
Trojan Banner is carded to run at 7.17pm NZ time on Tuesday but trainer Al Barnes says he’ll likely not to start.
More news in Harness
Rivergirl Bella finally delivers - and Phil kicks himself for not being there or having a punt
This is it, Sammy, the draw’s a bit of a pain but you can eat these non-winners for breakfast
Prince Lincoln finally shows what he’s made of - and, wow, was that a blazing demolition!
Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.14pm
“She tries hard and is getting stronger. She just needs a trip to be right there.”
Race 3: Copy N Paste
6.16pm
“Maurice said he got a bit tired on debut but I didn’t expect a lot. Four months ago you’d have wondered if he’d ever qualify. He’ll improve on that - he’s improving all the time - but from seven he’ll have to go back and come into it late.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.14pm
Update: Scratched
“She’s up in grade but is a chance again if she can get a good run up the front of the field. It was a good effort last time to break 2:43.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.49pm
“She’s trained on OK and, while no champion, has to be a chance down in grade against the amateur horses.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.57pm
“I can’t see her beating Sammy Lincoln but with a good draw at last you’ll see a better performance. She’s capable of finishing in the first three.”
Race 4: Spirit Of God
6.57pm
“She bolted in at the workouts, leading out from a wide gate and getting home in 27.9. She’s a great driving little mare and has good manners. I could see her winning one very soon.”
Race 4: Sammy Lincoln
6.57pm
“I know we’ve said it before but he has been unlucky a few times and, all things being fair and square, it’s hard to see him beaten. The draw is awkward but everything points to him winning. There are no derby horses in there and he went a great race in the Northern Derby last start.”
Race 4: Marylynes Boy
6.57pm
“He’s a tidy little horse. I can’t see him winning from the (second row) draw but he’s like Spirit Of God, he’s not far away from winning one.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.25pm
“He’s been a late developer. You can see it in his growth, his withers have finally popped up, and he’ll get better as time goes on. He’s no champion but he should be a handy horse through winter. He’s capable of stepping away fairly well.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.25pm
“It’s a toss-up between the two of them. Sugar Ray is a bit stronger perhaps but Leo is very good from a stand. You can forget that last run in the Messenger - he was only in there to help get the race off the ground.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.25pm
“He finally showed us what he’s got last week. Inside second row draws can be awkward - you’re at the mercy of the others - but he could end up with a good trail behind the leader.”
