Al lands himself a rare winner and gives Brian Christopher’s owners a real thrill
By Barry Lichter • 30 June 2021
Trainer Al Barnes couldn’t have chosen a better horse to give him his first driving him in nearly two years than Brian Christopher.
But when the 48-year-old saluted at Redcliffe tonight after a dominant all-the-way win, it was Brian Christopher’s owners, more than himself, that he was most pleased for.
For while Barnes hadn’t driven a winner since Vasari scored in his August, 2019 swansong before being sold to the United States, he also knew how much the success would mean for Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street.
“I’m rapt for John and Lynne as I know he’s a family horse. We’re not chasing big fish - tonight’s win was worth only A$3327 - but it will pay the bills and it will be a thrill for them and that’s what it’s all about.”
John Street’s sister Bev Glass and his brother Kevin and wife Glenis share in the ownership of Brian Christopher who is named in memory of Glass’ son who lost his battle with spina bifida in 2010 at the age of 45.
Brian Christopher with former stable foreman Phil Sattler. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Street chose what he hoped would be his best yearling that year, a $140,000 Bettor’s Delight brother of 13-race winner Lancewood Lizzie who was bred by Steve and Steffie Cornwall and Tony and Lee-Anne Grayling.
But while the horse turned out to lack the speed of his sister, Barnes says he makes up for it as best he can with his determinedness.
“He doesn’t have change-up speed but he keeps trying. He just keeps going at the same speed, he doesn’t go any faster.
“We’re lucky we’ve got a track like Redcliffe where high 28 quarters can win races.”
Brian Christopher didn’t even have to find any of those tonight as Barnes stole the first two sectionals in 32.3 and 31.5 before rolling home in 28.8 and 29 to score by 3.8 metres in a mile rate of 2:00.8.
“The track was a bit ordinary tonight, very wet and sloppy, so it suited a front runner like him.
“He should win a few more here on that effort. I never moved up the straight because he had them covered.
“He was hanging a bit on the turns which was costing him half a length to a length but at least he didn’t flog his knee like last time.
Al Barnes … go-straights and a change of shoeing did the trick tonight.“I added go-straights and changed his shoeing and he didn’t get in on his knee at all tonight. He only just brushed his near side and that was when he was lugging on the turn.”
Barnes believes Brian Christopher’s gate speed, and ability to find the front, will be an asset for him in Queensland.
“But I also think he’ll be just as good parked outside the leader and be just as brave as he feels like he’ll chase well.”
But Barnes was determined to stay in front of Sweet Lombo tonight, knowing from his observations that the favourite lacked a good last 150 metres.
And that he did, finding plenty when the other horse tried to range alongside before the home turn.
“That was good fun,” said Barnes of his overdue winner who paid $3 on the tote.
“I love winning but I don’t normally drive the ones that have a chance. And I’ve had only 20 odd drives since my last win on the old boy (Vasari).”
One of the first to congratulate Barnes was his son Hayden who piloted $61 outsider Vermont who ran last.
“I’m still learning but I might have to lose a bit more weight so I can be really competitive.”
More news in Harness
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Fine Cambridge double but Ray’s packing Lincoln Cove off to Matamata for scintigraphy
34 more meetings in the north next season as Auckland reclaims Friday nights
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
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.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 6: Captain Nemo
9.40pm NZ time
“I rate him a good top three chance. I’m really happy with the horse. It’s a decent drop in grade for him and I think maybe we roll the dice, go forward, and take our chances. As long as he doesn’t have to burn stupidly off the gate, if he can find the top, they’ll know he’s in the race.”
