Lincoln’s Girl is cruising at the finish of her fresh-up win at Albion Park, her first race for four and a half months.
Al: The start’s critical for Lincoln’s Girl - ‘If she leads, they won’t beat her’
By Barry Lichter • 15 April 2019
There’ll be no white flag put up just because Lincoln’s Girl has drawn the outside of the gate at Albion Park on Tuesday.
Trainer Al Barnes says the Kiwi filly will be sent forward and if she leads, he doesn’t think they can beat her.
“I’m confident she can run top three even if she has to park,’’ says Barnes who last week won his fourth straight race with Trojan Banner for Lincoln Farms and its partners.
Lincoln’s Girl opened her Queensland account with an easy win on April 5 when she drew three, came out with them, and took up the running after 400 metres.
But Barnes says the filly has a lot more gate speed than she showed that day for his driver son Hayden.
“She was squeezed up early so Hayden took a hold. But he could have led straight away without that.
“The start on Tuesday is important and we’ll be going forward for a crack. She ran an opening 27.8 quarter easily in her first start so has a bit more there.
“If we can’t cross them, we’ll still put the pressure on and they might let us go.
“She likes to be out and rolling along.’’
Lincoln’s Girl’s main opposition has drawn the two inside spots but Barnes says likely favourite Regulus doesn’t have high gate speed and pole runner Tuapeka Light is a sit sprinter who is unlikely to have a finishing kick if used too much early.
Menangle visitor Regulus, a seven-race winner, is also on the quick back-up after finishing fifth in the Triad Final on Saturday night.
“Lincoln’s Girl won easily first-up and was nowhere near ready,’’ says Barnes.
“She’s improved greatly since then and is probably 90% now. Her trackwork this week has been strong and she’s been really keen. In the lead-up to her first race she was quite relaxed.’’
Barnes says he is confident Lincoln’s Girl won’t over-race with her anti-choke device and he believes with her strength she is capable of running a mile in a high 1:54.
Meanwhile Barnes reports Trojan Banner has come through his latest win last Friday in fantastic order.
“There’s no race for him on Easter Friday so I’ll find a race for him the following Tuesday or Friday.’’
Lincoln’s Girl races at 4.12pm NZ time on Tuesday.
More news in Harness
Canny Fergie drive gets Lincoln Lover home at Taupo - and it won’t be his last win
Thoughts for Lincoln Farms’ groupie Margaret Rabbitt after Johnny Lincoln braves it out
Lincoln Wave super and Sammy Lincoln super unlucky - two three-year-olds worth following
Long wait over to see why Lincoln Wave and Sammy Lincoln are fancied by Lincoln Farms
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Sammy Lincoln
5.48pm
“Sammy Lincoln has a bit more speed than Lincoln Wave - he’s very fast for a big, rangy horse - but he might be vulnerable on Friday - he could experience difficulty on the corners going right-handed. He won’t be a maiden for long.”
Race 2: Lincoln Wave
5.48pm
“I’d say he’d be the more reliable of our two. He was clearly our best two-year-old before he got injured and we’ve waited a long time for him. He’s a powerful colt and should have a bright future.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.13pm
“The seven draw is a bit awkward but he’s trained on really well since Cambridge and I’m picking he’ll go really well.”
Race 8: Tyson
8.38pm
“He had a week off after his last run at Auckland, but I don’t think he’ll be short of a run. He’ll come back into the fray as tough as ever.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.38pm
“She was incredibly unlucky at Cambridge. The gap opened up for Harrison, he tried to push through, then it closed on him. If she led, she’d be the one to beat. She’s a nice mare and she’s pretty tough, she doesn’t give it up.”
Ray’s comments
Monday at Taupo
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
11.55am
“She’s been held up from awkward draws lately but gets the inside on Monday. She has limited ability but is racing really well and there are no superstars in the field. I think she’ll be fine on the grass as she’s good-gaited and wears no boots. She tries very hard and looks to have a decent show.”
Race 7: Lincoln Lover
2.17pm
“He’s the consummate tradesman, reliable and honest and deserves a win. He was only beaten by the passing lane runner last time after sitting parked for the last lap. He’s drawn to lead here and if he does that he’ll be hard to beat.”
