Al confident with Larry Lincoln but the draw takes Hustler out of play on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 5 February 2021
With a wide barrier draw taking Northview Hustler out of play at Albion Park on Saturday night, Lincoln Farms will be looking to Larry Lincoln to fly the flag - and trainer Al Barnes is very confident he’ll do it admirably.
Larry Lincoln doesn’t have the best form line in the third race but it doesn’t reflect the enormity of his last start run.
Sent forward soon after the start from a wide draw, driver Hayden Barnes was left stranded three wide when the parked horse kicked up and he had no option but to go all the way back to last.
To see the horse then sprint fast up the inside in the home straight, only to run into a brick wall, came as quite a surprise to his trainer.
Larry Lincoln (red hood) is hard on the leaders’ backs with nowhere to go .“Hayden said he was bolting and he would have won for fun if he’d got out. If he runs up to that form I’m very confident he can win on Saturday.”
Barnes said his son quite rightly decided not to put his foot down when denied the chair.
“Given the work he did early anyway it was great to see him finish like that.”
Larry Lincoln was doing handstands in behind the placegetters, finishing fifth but only 4.4 metres from winner Ice Pick Angie. His closing sectionals of 54.7 and 27.47 were the fastest in the race.
“Nothing in that field on Saturday will run those times and even though his form has slipped a little he should get a lot of respect back now. He can bounce straight back and show them what he can do on Saturday night.
“Two the second row is a good draw for him to sit handy and it’s a good stake.”
The A$14,000 purse - about A$7800 to the winner - is only $1000 less than the main pace, but Barnes isn’t thinking he can get any more than the dregs with Northview Hustler drawn six in the opener.
“The field is drawn on ratings and unfortunately six puts us out of the race.
“From an inside draw he can hold his own - he can leave the gate on the bit - but if he’s out wide and you’ve got to chase him to cross and put one on his bum he just doesn’t finish his races off.
“He’ll go back and we’ll save him for one sprint so he runs on.”
Barnes says Hustler can’t threaten the two favourites Turn It Up and Colt Thirty One who dominate the betting and will probably end up leading and breezing.
Northview Hustler races at 8.11pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Larry Lincoln races at 9.15pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
