1:52.8 opening salvo by Trojan Banner in the United States and Lincoln’s Girl in again
By Barry Lichter • 8 December 2019
The demand for Lincoln Farms pacers went up another notch when first Trojan Banner then Lincoln’s Girl won in the space of 24 hours in the United States.
Trojan Banner was having his first start in the United States since being sold out of Al Barnes’ Marburg stable in Queensland and lined up a well backed commodity at Dover Downs in Delaware with champion driver Tim Tetrick in the bike.
After drawing the outside of the eight-horse field, Trojan Banner was sixth in the early running before improving to be fourth in the one-one at the 400.
When brought out three wide in the stretch he swept past the former Ken Barron-trained Never Say Never to win decisively in a 1:52.8 mile.
Trained by Jim King jun., Trojan Banner is now raced by Richard Poillucci and JoAnn Looney-King and looks set to pick up where he left off for Barnes, who prepared him to win seven of his 10 starts in Brisbane.
Lincoln’s Girl … four wins in the States from six starts.At Harrah’s in Philadelphia Lincoln’s Girl took a lifetime best when she did it the hard way yet still clocked 1:52.8 in a US$17,000 mile.
Driven by champion Kiwi driver Dexter Dunn Lincoln’s Girl left the gate from four and was third early before easing off the markers to face the breeze for most of the last 800 metres, which was run in a slick 55.
She engaged in a good battle with the favourite Glorious Nite before edging ahead by three-quarters of a length.
It was Lincoln’s Girl’s fourth win from six starts in the States for trainer Josh Green and owners Richard Lombardo and David Kryway.
Barnes, who won five races with the daughter of Sir Lincoln earlier in the year, says the run of success comes as no surprise.
“She was a good mare who was just troubled by her stifles but I always thought she’d do well over there.”
Lincoln’s Girl is out of Tania Tandias, also the dam of Lincoln Road, whom Barnes trains, and Tommy Lincoln, who has just gone for a month’s spell after galloping at Auckland last Friday.
More news in Harness
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
