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
Dreams Of Eric passes Ashburton test with flying colours; he eats up being drilled
Debbie Lincoln pleases in searching workout after missing start at Auckland on Friday
Dreams of Eric to keep the Harness 5000 dream alive for Nate on Thursday night
Kevin Kline the kind of horse everybody would love to own - he just keeps running
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.39pm
“Harry did exactly what I wanted last week - to keep him covered up and to hit the line well - and he was happy with the run. This time I’ll tell him to cut loose and hopefully he’ll be in front. He’s training really well so is a definite each-way chance and potential winner.”
Race 7: Im Not The Maid
7.56pm
“She looks well and healthy but we’re not expecting anything wonderful from her in her first start since July.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Maree
6.42pm
“She’s stronger this time in so I don’t think she’ll break again, like in her first two starts. She’ll go as good as she can.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.42pm
“Last time in I’d have said she was the best of our fillies but I’m not so sure now. All three are on a par. She tries hard and does everything right.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.42pm
“She was nowhere near ready when I lined her up earlier in the year. It was only to get the races off the ground. She’s honest but I don’t have high expectations.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.39pm
“He needs to be in the open but from that draw I’m not holding my breath he’ll get a good trip.”
