Trojan Banner was struggling in New Zealand before he joined Al Barnes in Queensland where he won seven races straight before being sold to the States. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Al: Hey Kiwis, get your horses over here to Queensland to clean up in our extended season
By Barry Lichter • 19 May 2020
Queensland trainer Al Barnes reckons Kiwis would be mad not to take advantage of Australia’s decision to extend the racing season until the end of the year.
And he is scouting for horses to train for Kiwi owners, particularly those who have missed out here on a slice of their two-year-old and three-year-old seasons because of the COVID-19 shutdown.
Barnes is doing a cleanout of his old battlers, in anticipation of welcoming some new stock, and has also sold three of Lincoln Farms under-achievers to make way for some replacements.
Sir Tiger and Its Super Easy have gone to fellow Queensland trainers Jeroen Nieuwenburg and Johnny Smith respectively and Cover Boy Pretty is off to Tasmania where he will be trained on the beach by Zeke Slater.
“Hopefully Sir Tiger will do a good job for his new owners, It’s Super Easy was just taking too long to get up to speed and Cover Boy Pretty will enjoy the weaker racing in Tasmania.”
Barnes is eagerly awaiting the arrival of some fresh blood from Lincoln Farms’ Pukekohe base to join their sole remaining flag-bearer Northview Hustler.
Just who they might be is still being decided as Lincoln Farms’ boss John Street, business manager Ian Middleton and trainer Ray Green work out where best to send their stock.
Al Barnes … opportunities galore in Queensland.In light of huge stakes cuts at Auckland, and what it perceives to be a poorly run industry, Lincoln Farms’ new business model will involve sending a lot more horses to Australia, both pacers and gallopers, once they are up and ready to race.
With Queensland prizemoney suddenly looking quite inviting compared with that on offer in a cash-strapped New Zealand, and more age group concessions, Barnes says its a logical place to campaign horses.
Country racing stakes range from A$5500 to A$8500, with Saturday night races at Albion Park between A$12,000 and A$14,000.
Today’s meeting at Albion Park, which catered for the weakest horses, all carried prizemoney of A$8000, more than that which will be offered for all but the top two races at Alexandra Park when racing resumes there on June 4.
“We race here five days a week, at Albion Park and Redcliffe, so there are plenty of opportunities.”
Barnes believes Kiwi owners can really reap some rewards with their two-year-olds and three-year-olds gifted another five months before they officially change age.
But he warns that, to be eligible, horses need to be in Queensland before August 1, with all the paperwork processed.
Barnes says his operation suits owners who are keen to both race and sell.
“I have clients in the United States waiting to buy horses.”
Since he began training horses for Lincoln Farms in February, 2019, Barnes has enjoyed considerable success, onselling to America horses like Trojan Banner, Vasari, Lincoln’s Girl and Billy Lincoln.
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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.”
