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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Our runners this week
Saturday night at Albion Park
Captain Nemo.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
