Billy Lincoln paces fast 1:53 in New Jersey qualifier, living right up to our Al’s predictions

Former Lincoln Farms three-year-old Billy Lincoln made a splash when qualifying at Gaitway Farm in New Jersey today.

Sold last November after notching three wins and three seconds in seven starts for Queensland trainer Al Barnes, Billy Lincoln paced a swift 1:53 flat mile in running second to another former Kiwi, Mako Banner who clocked 1:52.6.

Driven by champion reinsman Tim Tetrick, Billy Lincoln closed his last half in 28.2 to run the fourth equal fastest mile of the day when 14 heats were run.

Mako Banner (Mach Three - Regal Banner) while now a nine-year-old veteran, won three of his six races here for Graeme Anderson, and 15 races in Australia before being sold to the States where he has won another three times.

Billy Lincoln, on the other hand is an untapped talent, having raced only 11 times, and pleased his new trainer Tahnee Camilleri with his forward showing.

That’s no surprise to Barnes who, while pleased to have secured a healthy five figure sum for Lincoln Farms, was sorry to see the horse go.

“In another three months I reckon he’ll be a different horse,” he said at the time.

“I know it’s a big call but he might have made a derby horse in six months. He’s just got better and better and better. And there’s still so much improvement left in him.”

Billy Lincoln, by leading sire Bettor’s Delight, is out of Ginnie Moon, whose dam Armbro Innocence won 15 races.