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
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34 more meetings in the north next season as Auckland reclaims Friday nights
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 6: Captain Nemo
9.40pm NZ time
“I rate him a good top three chance. I’m really happy with the horse. It’s a decent drop in grade for him and I think maybe we roll the dice, go forward, and take our chances. As long as he doesn’t have to burn stupidly off the gate, if he can find the top, they’ll know he’s in the race.”
