It’s close but Trojan Banner has Feelingforarainbow covered at the finish at Redcliffe last night.
Al says yes to the Redcliffe Derby after Trojan extends unbeaten run to six - but it was close!
By Barry Lichter • 13 June 2019
Trojan Banner might have won by only a small margin last night but he got round the tricky triangular track well enough to earn a tilt at the $21,000 Redcliffe Derby on Saturday week.
Fans of the Kiwi colt might have been getting a little concerned as he tired late to scrape home by half a head, returning a rock bottom $1 for a win and $1 for a place.
But trainer Al Barnes wasn’t worried about the tight finish, which only exposed his lack of race fitness.
Barnes saw what he wanted and afterwards got the right report from driver son Hayden that Trojan Banner paced well enough round the circuit to make him competitive in the Redcliffe Derby.
“We made a few gear changes - used a gaiting strap to keep him straight in behind - and swapped to a snaffle bit and jaw breaker to give Hayden a bit more leverage on his mouth.
“It didn’t stop him hanging completely, but he was manageable, and he didn’t get on himself.
“And he would have paced a 56 last half and that’s as quick as they go around Redcliffe.’’
Al Barnes … Trojan Banner is still a little tubby.True to the plan Barnes disclosed before the race, Trojan Banner went back at the start, so as not to turn the race into a Sunday afternoon stroll in front.
Hayden sat last in the five-horse field until the 1000 metre mark when he pulled out and started working up to park outside the leader Let’s Dig It.
Trojan Banner easily claimed the lead turning for home and looked to be in for a comfortable win until Feelingforarainbow started to make inroads.
While the margin was close at the finish of the 2040 metres, Trojan Banner never looked like being run down and extended his unbeaten winning streak in Queensland to six.
“You like to see them running away but he got the job done, because he’s a tradesman, and it was only his fitness that let him down.
“We probably thought he was a bit more forward but he hasn’t had a lot of fast work, only two or three hitouts at home plus his trial. And good horses can run 1:55 in a trial.
“He’s still a little tubby which is good as we don’t want him spot on for the first derby.’’
Barnes says he may now trial Trojan Banner at Albion Park on Tuesday to top off his fitness.
“Otherwise it’s 10 days between runs and we can’t do real fast work at home as we only have a 650 metre track.’’
More news in Harness
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
