Larry Lincoln is just a nose behind Man Of Action, inner, and cruising at the finish of his trial last week.
Al pumped over new Lincoln Farms’ pair - and he says Larry Lincoln is fair flying
By Barry Lichter • 18 September 2020
Trainer Al Barnes is looking forward to tonight at Albion Park when he unleashes his two new Lincoln Farms runners, Larry Lincoln and Man Of Action.
Barnes says both horses will be hard to beat, Larry Lincoln, in particular, whom the bookies have a $1.45 hotpot for the fourth race.
“I can’t fault Larry, he’s a nice horse. On his trial and his work he should be winning. His work has been super at home and he’s ready to go.”
Barnes says his son Hayden was very taken by Larry Lincoln’s trial last week when he was pipped a nose by Man Of Action in a mile rate of 1:54.8.
“Hayden said he could have gone 1:53 and he’s improved since then.”
The field Larry faces tonight is below par and Barnes doesn’t expect his barrier six draw to be any hindrance over the 1660 metre trip.
Pukekohe trainer Ray Green never made a secret of the high speed Larry possesses, it was only his stamina that was in question here.
Man Of Action … has been in solid form at Auckland.Man Of Action faces an even line-up in the sixth race, where he is a $2 favourite in gate four.
“He’s improving every time we work him but he’s still a little tubby for my liking and may need a couple of runs to tighten up.
“He’s not 100 percent yet but if he runs up to his trial he’ll run top three.”
Man Of Action has been a model of consistency since lockdown and was a last-start second to Adieu Flirt at Alexandra Park on August 20.
Brief break for Hustler
Meanwhile, Barnes has scratched Northview Hustler from his engagement on Saturday night.
The horse ran a terrific third equal last week behind Colt Thirty One but is a bit niggly this week, says Barnes.
“It’s nothing major but he’s a bit foot sore with corns and is a bit flat and tired and dry in the coat.
“The best he could have managed this week (from the second row) was to slip into fourth so I’ll give him a week off and a little freshen-up.”
Barnes says the Hustler is due for his monthly joint treatment but, unable to take him to the university, where he has always had a good result, he’s trying a new vet and a few different products.
“He should be back at the trials in three weeks and back at the races in a month.”
Larry Lincoln races at 9.24pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday night.
Man Of Action races at 10.22pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday night.
More news in Harness
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Cheapies The Night Fox and Lincoln Maree keep the tally ticking over at Cambridge
Little Missy Lincoln can stand up for herself in Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night
Leo poised to roar again - he looks a ratings special at Cambridge on Thursday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
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.”
