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.
More news in Harness
Johnny Lincoln’s big ticker will stand to him in the States and Lover’s also sold to Aussie
No Jumals to beat this time at the Park so Ray’s looking for Lincoln Wave to roll in
Lincoln Linda best of the night at Cambridge - she has the engine to cross Soul Artist
Cheapie Johnny Lincoln a “proper” racehorse who can foot it with the Million bluebloods
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.44pm
“She did well here last time as she had to do a bit to get to the lead and she dug in and fought on. She’s certainly a chance if she repeats that effort.”
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
7.09pm
“I thought she went super last time after doing a lot of work. She can do that because she has an engine and is tough. She’s a bit one-dimensional - you have to turn her loose early - but from the two draw she should be able to lead and that’s where she does her best work.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.34pm
“I think he’s a bit stronger after his spell. It’s not a great field - most will die on that mark - and I don’t see a problem with the standing start as he’s nicely gaited. He could be marginally unfit after three months out but he’s done quite a bit of work and I can see him going a half-decent race.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.59pm
“She had every chance last time but I can’t see why she won’t go well again. She’s as honest as they come and tries like hell.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
8.29pm
“You’d think he’d lead easily from the inside. He’s had bad draws and still got the money, so I’m sure he’ll go another good race. I’m surprised they sold him so cheaply. He’s better than people think.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Wave
5.09pm
“With the trip he got in the Harness Million I thought he’d have run on a lot better. But he was still a bit short on fitness and sometimes we can expect too much of these horses, he was racing the best, after all. It’s a big drop in grade here and he’s a pretty fair horse.”
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.09pm
“He’s an honest sort who’s in a good space but he won’t get a wonderful trip from the outside of the gate this time so I’m not holding my breath.”
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
6.04pm
“He’s training down well but you never know what he’s going to do. You think you’ve got him sorted and he does something silly. But we know if the real Sammy turned up, he’d be very hard to beat as he’s got a lot of speed.”
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
7.05pm
“He’s another where you don’t know which one will turn up but we’ve gelded him since his last run, so we’ll see if that helps. He trained well the other day.”
