Back to day racing over a mile, Al’s confident we’ll see the real Lincoln’s Girl on Tuesday
By Barry Lichter • 5 August 2019
Forget the form line, Lincoln’s Girl is a strong winning chance back to her own grade at Albion Park on Tuesday.
And just as importantly as the huge drop in class, is the fact the speedy filly returns to mile racing - during the day.
Though she runs in the final race at 6.21pm local time, it will still be light, the most crucial factor for Lincoln’s Girl, says trainer Al Barnes.
“She’s very highly hung and just seems to go to pieces under lights when the atmosphere is a bit different.
“Nerves get to her and she pulls too hard and chokes down.
“Her half brother Lincoln Road was the same, he really struggled at night when he first came over. The mare seems to breed hot types.”
Barnes says Lincoln’s Girl will eventually get used to it the more she goes round but at the moment the key to her is finding day races over 1660 metres.
Lincoln’s Girl (Hayden Barnes) clocking 1:53.3 at Albion Park in May. PHOTO: Dan Costello.In her last two starts Lincoln’s Girl was out of her comfort zone tackling the best company over 2138 metres in the Queensland Oaks and South East Oaks.
And even though she had her preferred 1660 metre distance in the two starts before that it was again in far stronger company in the heats and final of the Rising Stars.
On Tuesday she reverts to a rating 50 to 55 event and goes in as equal top rater, along with Ask Me and Havana Moon.
While drawn three on the second line, Lincoln’s Girl showed she could overcome that in a trial last Tuesday when she came three wide from the back to find the chair before forging to the front 800 metres from home and beating nine-race winner Bettor Vision comfortably in a 1:55.8 mile rate.
“She’s done well since the trial and I’m confident she’ll be very competitive. She’ll show how good she is.
“How many three-year-old fillies can run 1:53.3 over a mile, sitting in the chair, and do it comfortably?
“I’m surprised she hasn’t sold already given what she’s done but she’ll get back into consistent form again - and then the price will go up!”
Lincoln’s Girl was the seventh highest stake earner for Lincoln Farms in the season just ended, banking $21,127 from four wins.
Lincoln’s Girl races at 8.21pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
More news in Harness
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Nate having a last spin round on his wee mate Eric - and he’s in with a very good chance
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
