Billy Lincoln is improving all the time.
Al: US eyes on Billy who’s set a hard task on Friday but will be fitter for last run
By Barry Lichter • 20 November 2019
The tricky draw, the tough field and the heat mean trainer Al Barnes is hardly brimming with confidence over Billy Lincoln’s chances at Albion Park on Friday.
Barnes says there’s no guarantee Billy Lincoln will find his way to the front this week from five, with fast beginner Nicstar drawn inside him.
And with his conqueror of last week, Joannies Girl, again drawn the pole and an in-form Sea Hawke also in the field, Barnes says Billy will need to turn in a career best performance to come out on top.
“It’s also very hot here. The temperatures have been in the high 30s and, while he’s eating and drinking, his coat has dried out a bit.
“It means you can’t fast work them as hard. Ideally at this time of year I’d give him two or three weeks off and he’s had half a dozen runs anyway so he may be looking for a little freshen up.”
Barnes, however, is also mindful that there’s been interest in buying the horse from the United States so he’s reluctant to have him sitting in the paddock.
“We’ve had an offer but he needs to take a step up. So far he’s beaten nothing but he has run 1:54.3 and I’ve no doubt he’ll keep improving.
“He’s not a high speed horse who can pick them up and put them away and there’s no guarantee he’ll be in front on Friday.”
Joannies Girl sprints past Billy Lincoln last start after enjoying a perfect trail.But Barnes says Billy Lincoln will be fitter for his run last week, his first for a fortnight while he was waiting for Albion Park to reopen after resurfacing.
“We knew he needed the hit-out but he still went well. He probably went a bit hard down the back - he might have been better if saved for the run home.”
Barnes’ son Hayden, however, was left with little choice but to go forward, after Billy came out of the gate under his own steam and was trapped three wide.
He had to use plenty of petrol to reach the front before the bell and had no answer to Joannies Girl when she dashed up the sprint lane from the trail.
Barnes is wary that Nicstar, to be driven by his younger son Brendan on Friday, will have too much gate speed and is tough to go with it. Sea Hawke, and Grant Dixon, are also bound to come calling late.
“It won’t be any easier for us over 2138 metres either. I wish it was only a mile.
“But I’ve got no doubt he’ll earn a cheque, I just don’t know what colour.”
Billy Lincoln has raced six times since arriving in Queensland, the only time he hasn’t finished first or second when all at sea on a stormy night at Redcliffe.
Billy Lincoln races at 7.37pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday.
More news in Harness
No Jumals to beat this time at the Park so Ray’s looking for Lincoln Wave to roll in
Lincoln Linda best of the night at Cambridge - she has the engine to cross Soul Artist
Cheapie Johnny Lincoln a “proper” racehorse who can foot it with the Million bluebloods
Bang! Lincoln Wave’s tyre blows out, startling rival drivers but Alabar win would shock more
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.44pm
“She did well here last time as she had to do a bit to get to the lead and she dug in and fought on. She’s certainly a chance if she repeats that effort.”
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
7.09pm
“I thought she went super last time after doing a lot of work. She can do that because she has an engine and is tough. She’s a bit one-dimensional - you have to turn her loose early - but from the two draw she should be able to lead and that’s where she does her best work.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.34pm
“I think he’s a bit stronger after his spell. It’s not a great field - most will die on that mark - and I don’t see a problem with the standing start as he’s nicely gaited. He could be marginally unfit after three months out but he’s done quite a bit of work and I can see him going a half-decent race.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.59pm
“She had every chance last time but I can’t see why she won’t go well again. She’s as honest as they come and tries like hell.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
8.29pm
“You’d think he’d lead easily from the inside. He’s had bad draws and still got the money, so I’m sure he’ll go another good race. I’m surprised they sold him so cheaply. He’s better than people think.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Wave
5.09pm
“With the trip he got in the Harness Million I thought he’d have run on a lot better. But he was still a bit short on fitness and sometimes we can expect too much of these horses, he was racing the best, after all. It’s a big drop in grade here and he’s a pretty fair horse.”
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.09pm
“He’s an honest sort who’s in a good space but he won’t get a wonderful trip from the outside of the gate this time so I’m not holding my breath.”
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
6.04pm
“He’s training down well but you never know what he’s going to do. You think you’ve got him sorted and he does something silly. But we know if the real Sammy turned up, he’d be very hard to beat as he’s got a lot of speed.”
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
7.05pm
“He’s another where you don’t know which one will turn up but we’ve gelded him since his last run, so we’ll see if that helps. He trained well the other day.”
