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.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Tyson
6.59pm
“He was tough again in winning last week. He’s trained on well, is in good shape, and should be right in it.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.59pm
“He’s finally getting his act together - he’s gone three good races in a row - and seemingly turned the corner. We’ve had a lot of (vet) work done on him, his feet in particular, and it’s paid off. There’s not much between him and Tyson.”
Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.23pm
“She’ll need everything to go her way from the draw. But she’s got a bit of speed. She’s getting there. She wasn’t very strong before and wasn’t tracking too well, but she’s driving right now.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.23pm
“She’s had a few issues, mostly mental ones, and is still a bit of a handful. It wasn’t very pretty last week but we’re slowly getting her under control. The outside draw might actually help her.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.23pm
“She needs only a half decent trip to feature. She got held up a little bit in the straight at a crucial time last week and that was that.”
Race 6: Prince Lincoln
7.49pm
“He’s drawn the best of ours in three. He got cheated for a run last week. It’s hard to know where he’d have finished without that.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.49pm
“Ferg reckoned if he’d been able to hold up in the trail last week he would have won. He was very bullish about how he’d gone. The draw’s no help but he can do a bit of work. He’s an honest little guy who saves his best for when the money’s up on racenight.”
Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
7.49pm
“He got a bit keen last week but he should be a lot better this time. He’s still learning and he’s a slow learner. When he does things correctly he’s a pretty nice horse. Hopefully he can get a suck into it from the second row draw.”
