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.
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Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
5.44pm
“From a good front line draw Harry can run off the gate and find the front. He’s shown he’s got the speed to get there. And if he can go 2:42 again, or quicker, I thought he’d be a very good winning chance. It’s an easier field than the one he beat last time. He’s trained well this week.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.09pm
“She goes down to Cambridge for the first time so it’s a big drop in class. She also goes a lot better left-handed so I thought from the good draw she could run top three.”
Race 3: Lincoln Maree
6.34pm
“She paced a 1:56.7 mile in beating the amateurs last start but it looks like she’ll need a bit of luck from the draw this time. The two inside her like to lead so she could end up three fence or outside them. I’ll leave it up to Harry to get the right trip.”
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.34pm
“He’s a place chance. He likes bowling along but from five it’s hard to say where he’ll end up. He’s very consistent and he paced 2:42.3 last time so I can absolutely see him in the money.”
Race 6: Lincoln Linda
8.04pm
“She was in a very strong R40 to R48 race last time at Auckland against horses like Alecto, All Of Me and Cyclone Rebel, and she clocked 2:41.1, so back to Cambridge where she won her first race, and a much easier R38 to R40 field, she’s got to be a good winning chance. She’s best in front if Fergie can get there.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
4.42pm
“I’m not holding my breath with him. We won’t count that last run, when the leader went ballistic and he couldn’t get into the race, but he’s not well placed here.”
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.09pm
“She’s racing really well and this looks a bit easier than last time when she was trapped in the breeze in a strong field. I can’t see how she won’t be right in the fight.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
7.34pm
“I didn’t know what to expect on debut but she was very brave. I’m picking she’ll go well again but she’ll need a bit of luck - drawn the second line we’re at the mercy of others. We’ll poke her out and see. At least she won’t get parked this time.”
Race 10: Lincoln Wave
9.07pm
“We’re racing the best horses now but he’ll definitely go better than last time. Tony (Herlihy) said he felt super across the top but once in the straight he flattened out, which I half expected. I had him scoped afterwards just to make sure he was all right but he was short of a run, that’s all.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
9.07pm
“He went super when third last week and Fergie said just wait ’til he gets over 2700 metres, he’ll be a monster. He’s turned into a proper racehorse. From four there’ll be a bit of urgency early and hopefully he can get a suck along and get some of it.”
