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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Big-spending Mike Tanev snares The Rascal and he’s off to Canada next week
Dreams Of Eric goes from black and blue to blue and white, now for Harness 5000
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Tyson
6.59pm
“He was tough again in winning last week. He’s trained on well, is in good shape, and should be right in it.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.59pm
“He’s finally getting his act together - he’s gone three good races in a row - and seemingly turned the corner. We’ve had a lot of (vet) work done on him, his feet in particular, and it’s paid off. There’s not much between him and Tyson.”
Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.23pm
“She’ll need everything to go her way from the draw. But she’s got a bit of speed. She’s getting there. She wasn’t very strong before and wasn’t tracking too well, but she’s driving right now.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.23pm
“She’s had a few issues, mostly mental ones, and is still a bit of a handful. It wasn’t very pretty last week but we’re slowly getting her under control. The outside draw might actually help her.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.23pm
“She needs only a half decent trip to feature. She got held up a little bit in the straight at a crucial time last week and that was that.”
Race 6: Prince Lincoln
7.49pm
“He’s drawn the best of ours in three. He got cheated for a run last week. It’s hard to know where he’d have finished without that.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.49pm
“Ferg reckoned if he’d been able to hold up in the trail last week he would have won. He was very bullish about how he’d gone. The draw’s no help but he can do a bit of work. He’s an honest little guy who saves his best for when the money’s up on racenight.”
Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
7.49pm
“He got a bit keen last week but he should be a lot better this time. He’s still learning and he’s a slow learner. When he does things correctly he’s a pretty nice horse. Hopefully he can get a suck into it from the second row draw.”
