Al: Larry ‘awesome’ and Man Of Action only a pencil line away and a big improver
By Barry Lichter • 18 September 2020
Only the barest of noses spoiled a first-up double for Lincoln Farms’ newcomers to Queensland tonight when Larry Lincoln won and Man Of Action was pipped on the post at Albion Park.
Trainer Al Barnes’ pre-race analysis of what to expect from the pair played out to the letter as Larry Lincoln and Hayden Barnes brained their opposition then Man Of Action and brother Brendan had their race won until the very last stride.
Larry Lincoln strides home to a comfortable win.“Larry was awesome,” said Al Barnes after the little speedster spent much of the race three wide, then parked, yet still got home comfortably by 2.4 metres.
“It was a really good effort as he pulled up really big so there’s plenty of improvement in him.
“We didn’t know how much work he could do because in New Zealand he wasn’t racing tough but he did plenty tonight and won well.
“He had fixed plugs in too so there’s more to come there as well.”
Larry Lincoln had to run only closing sectionals of 57 and 28.9 to score, his overall time for the 1660 metres 1:58.6, a mile rate of 1:55.
While Larry Lincoln goes up four points in the ratings, with a five point three-year-old concession he will get back into the same grade again next week, says Barnes.
There’s only a pencil line between winner Jive, lower, and Man Of Action.So too will Man Of Action who showed terrific gate speed to forge to an early lead, running his first quarter in a rarely beaten 26.8 for that grade.
Man Of Action looked to have the field covered early in the run home but Brendan Barnes reported he waited for them a bit.
“And he didn’t see that one (Jive) coming because it sprinted so quickly.
“Brendan says they won’t be able to sit outside him and beat him because he’ll fight all day but it’s the ones who ping late that can catch him.
“But after that fast first quarter he still ran home in 56.4 and 28.5. And we know he’ll get better as he’s still a bit tubby and he has a few little problems in the back end that we need too fix.”
The race was cut out in a swift 1:57.7, a mile rate of 1:54.1.
Larry Lincoln paid $1.60 to win and Man Of Action $2 to place.
More news in Harness
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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
Bang! Lincoln Wave’s tyre blows out, startling rival drivers but Alabar win would shock more
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.”
