Al just has some tinkering to do with Billy then he’ll be winning them in a row
By Barry Lichter • 18 September 2019
Billy Lincoln did a bit wrong but still showed in easily taking his trial at Albion Park yesterday that he is a winner-in-waiting.
The latest recruit to Lincoln Farms’ Queensland team with Al Barnes completely dominated his 1660 metre heat, getting home by 8.4 metres in a mile rate of 1:57.5.
The three-year-old wasn’t rushed out from the pole by driver Hayden Barnes who took an early trail behind Delight Of Rani, before going round to lead a couple of hundred metres later.
Billy Lincoln paced strongly throughout, easing out to a four length lead 400 metres from home, and was untested in the straight to win comfortably.
Billy Lincoln … out on his own and cruising for driver Hayden Barnes.“He went 1:57 easily and his fitness can improve too so he’ll be winning first-up in a couple of weeks,” says Barnes.
“We’ve just got some fine tuning to do first. He paced a bit roughly on the first and last turn when he got on his knee a bit and Hayden had to grab hold. You could see marks high up on his knee boot.
“He’s a big, dopey bugger who is quite green but on what he showed today he will reel off a nice mile. He’ll go 1:55 and will certainly string a few (wins) together.
“But he’s still growing - he’s a bit gappy in the joints - and we won’t see him bloom until he’s a late three-year-old or four-year-old.
“He’ll keep trialling until he’s doing things right but he should be at the races in a few weeks.”
Billy Lincoln ran home his last 800 metres in 57.9 and 400 in 29.
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.55pm
“Frank drove a nice race on her last time, doing a bit of work early before leading and trailing, but I think the result might have been different if she’d led all the way. She has no speed, she’s better in front and rolling, so this week we’ll tell Frank to go forward and to not hand up and hopefully she can go one better.”
Race 4: The Night Fox
6.56pm
“He got KOed last time at Auckland but Harry said he felt like he could have won with a decent draw so we’ll just put that race behind us. I wouldn’t say this field is any harder. We’ve got a bad draw again but it depends on how the race pans out. I think he can still win.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.58pm
“He’s doing a good job, and he ran home well last time at Cambridge, but Leo Lincoln is definitely the pick of ours.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.58pm
“He’ll strip a lot fitter and I think he’s a good winning chance. He’s been racing open class horses and this is a huge drop back for him.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Linda
5.06pm
“I’m not holding my breath. She beat a poor bunch at Cambridge and will have to step up here.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
5.45pm
“Given the right trip, she should finish off not too bad as she has a bit of speed but, after two runs back, she needs to improve.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s only little but she trialled super and got home in 2:00.6 mile rate. If she repeats that, she’ll be in the fray. It’s early days yet but she’s a nice, tractable filly who has drawn well in two and, based on that one trial, you’d have to give her a chance. Whether she improves off it, we’ll see.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.34pm
“I don’t think any of the others stand over her. She’s a tough mare who has trained on well. I’d love to see her in front, she’s proven that’s where she goes best, but whether she’ll get there from four is debatable. But I’m sure she’ll go another good race.”
