Hayden Barnes moves Joey Lincoln up to park a lap from home in his debut at Albion Park. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Al happy to look after Joey - he won’t be bustled out to lead on Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 23 April 2020
If Joey Lincoln can run in the top four at Albion Park on Friday night, trainer Al Barnes will be plenty pleased.
But, realistically, even from the inside draw, Barnes says Joey, who is just a learner, will probably find the opposition too strong.
Barnes has been unable to find a maiden race for Joey Lincoln since his frustrating fourth on debut, when he galloped under pressure 300 metres from home when running second.
“That’s the first time he’s galloped in the last two months and it was just pressure. The leader (Friday’s race rival Betterthandiamonds) was going too fast for him and he wasn’t comfortable chasing her.
“He might have been touching round the bend but I think it was just greenness. We’ve just got to get his confidence up.”
Barnes doesn’t want to see Joey spearing out too fast from the ace draw on Friday night.
“He won’t lead. We don’t want to put him under pressure like that. Second or third on the fence and getting a nice, cruisy trip would be ideal.
“I’d actually like him to be three fence so he’s not the first one chasing the leader.
“Last time he had to park out and do the chasing (when the winner went a 1:54.6 mile rate) but this time he should get a sweet trip on the fence. It’s a strong field but if he can do that he can run top four.
“I’m happy with him, he’s doing well and isn’t tired. He’s got ability but just needs a bit of time.
“If he can go round in 1:57 or 1:58 each week, do it within himself and learn, he’ll keep improving.”
When there was no maiden for Joey to run in last week, Barnes pulled him out of the only alternative.
“He didn’t need to be chasing a filly like Pelosi (who has won seven races and more than $250,000 from only 11 starts).
“But there’s a maiden now scheduled for Tuesday and, if that holds up, he can go round again.”
Joey Lincoln races at 9.52pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday night.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Tyson
6.59pm
“He was tough again in winning last week. He’s trained on well, is in good shape, and should be right in it.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.59pm
“He’s finally getting his act together - he’s gone three good races in a row - and seemingly turned the corner. We’ve had a lot of (vet) work done on him, his feet in particular, and it’s paid off. There’s not much between him and Tyson.”
Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.23pm
“She’ll need everything to go her way from the draw. But she’s got a bit of speed. She’s getting there. She wasn’t very strong before and wasn’t tracking too well, but she’s driving right now.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.23pm
“She’s had a few issues, mostly mental ones, and is still a bit of a handful. It wasn’t very pretty last week but we’re slowly getting her under control. The outside draw might actually help her.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.23pm
“She needs only a half decent trip to feature. She got held up a little bit in the straight at a crucial time last week and that was that.”
Race 6: Prince Lincoln
7.49pm
“He’s drawn the best of ours in three. He got cheated for a run last week. It’s hard to know where he’d have finished without that.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.49pm
“Ferg reckoned if he’d been able to hold up in the trail last week he would have won. He was very bullish about how he’d gone. The draw’s no help but he can do a bit of work. He’s an honest little guy who saves his best for when the money’s up on racenight.”
Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
7.49pm
“He got a bit keen last week but he should be a lot better this time. He’s still learning and he’s a slow learner. When he does things correctly he’s a pretty nice horse. Hopefully he can get a suck into it from the second row draw.”
