Brian Christopher after his sole win at Manawatu last December. PHOTO: Royden Williams.
Brian Christopher to give a bold sight in front - but Al warns not to take short odds
By Barry Lichter • 22 June 2021
Trainer Al Barnes is hoping Brian Christopher shows more on race night than he does at home - because otherwise punters could be getting very bad value when the horse makes his Queensland debut at Redcliffe on Wednesday night.
The three-year-old lines up in race seven and being a Kiwi, first-up in Brisbane, Barnes says he’s sure to touch a short price.
Brian Christopher arrives in Brisbane the winner of one of his eight races - against poor opposition at Manawatu - but none of his rivals have been any more successful.
That, however, does little to inspire Barnes.
“I can’t go any weaker than this and I hope he leads and wins but I’m not confident. He just doesn’t have any speed.
“He’s not interested in showing anything at home, I just hope he’s different on race night. Some of them can improve in a race but he’ll be no value.”
Zachary Butcher … Brian Christopher “one-paced.”In his win at Palmerston North last December, driver Zachary Butcher reported Brian Christopher was very one-paced and Barnes says that’s why he hopes he can make the lead from four on Wednesday night and roll along.
“He’s not blistering out of the gate but he does have gate speed. He should give a bold sight in front but Hayden reckons he’s a better chaser. Once that horse got past him in his trial he seemed to try a bit harder.”
Trialled over 1660 metres at Albion Park on May 28, Brian Christopher worked his way to the front and battled away well for a close third when headed by eventual winner Couldntmisafalcon. The heat was won in a moderate mile rate of 1:58 with closing sectionals of 58.3 and 28.5.
“He trailed as well as he can go.”
Brian Christopher, who last raced on January 28 at Cambridge, clocked a mile rate of 2:01.7 in winning his 2000 metre race at Palmerston North and will need to go a lot faster on Wednesday.
Man Of Action won’t need to improve to be right in the hunt in the third race - he just needs a little more luck.
Drawn three on the second row for the third time in a row, Man Of Action tackles 2040 metres on Wednesday, with Barnes predicting he’ll still be competitive.
“It’s a bad draw but I’m happy with him, he’s racing really well and seems to be trying again.”
Last start on June 11, in a stronger field at Albion Park, Man Of Action made ground from four deep on the markers in a mile rate of 1:54.9 to be 11.4 metres fifth behind Nesters Hill.
“A win isn’t far away, he only needs a bit of luck.”
More news in Harness
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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.”
