Vasari, nearest camera, gets the decision by a nose over Stompem, inner, at Albion Park tonight.
Al shows he has ice in his veins as he gets Vasari up for a thrilling last stride win
By Barry Lichter • 17 August 2019
Little more than a pencil line robbed trainer Al Barnes of one of his most memorable half hours at Albion Park in Brisbane tonight.
First Northview Hustler ran out of his skin fresh-up to go down in a very close photo finish to Leos Best, with Barnes’ son Brendan behind the horse for the first time.
Barnes was praised by commentator Chris Barsby for his ice cold drive, which saw Vasari come with a withering late burst in the stretch to pip favourite Stompem, The Announcer and Offthetopofmyhead.
Al Barnes … not a bad driving display for an “old fat fella”But he was quick to switch the kudos to the horse himself.
“It’s not hard to steer the good ones,” he said. “Hayden told me how to drive him - it was exactly the same scenario as last week.
“I could have run down the back but I didn’t want to be five wide and thought I’d save him for the last couple of hundred metres.
“I was four wide from the 400 anyway and in the straight I thought I was going to come up short, but he really charged the last hundred metres.”
Barnes described the five-year-old as being “such a good old trier who is tough as nails” but passed on credit for his newfound form to former Pukekohe trainer Ray Green.
“His confidence is up and it’s because I followed Ray’s advice to train him like a thoroughbred. He said I just had to keep him on the lead so he was happy and fresh.”
Vasari has obviously responded as he now boasts a form line of 1211, with earnings in those last four starts of A$17,435.
Leos Best noses out Northview Hustler.Barnes was rapt with the fresh-up run of Lincoln Farms’ flag bearer Northview Hustler who was having his first run since the Blacks A Fake Championship on July 20 and was well in need of the hitout.
A catch drive for his younger son Brendan, with Hayden suspended, the Hustler unleashed his now trademark high speed burst turning for home and looked to have the measure of Leos Best, only to paddle the last few metres and lose out in a nose photo finish.
“But we knew that would happen,” said Barnes. “We would have been rapt if he’d run top four as we knew he was big, but good horses just find.”
The fact Hustler pulled up with a heart rate of 94 confirmed he was still a little way off full fitness.
“I thought his run was super - the last two sectionals were 27.9 and 27.7 - and he’ll take a lot of improvement out of it.
“Brendan was a little disappointed at not winning - he thought he’d got there - but he’ll go in the same grade next week and be a genuine $1.90 chance this time.”
Winner Leos Best was created with a time of 2:33.5 for the 2138 metres, a mile rate of 1:55.6.
There’s a narrow margin for Leos Best in the official photo finish.
More news in Harness
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
Argyle out of action, injured, and barrier draw will take Nemo out of play too on Saturday
Our runners this week
Saturday night at Albion Park
Captain Nemo.
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.”
