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.”
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Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
Leo Lincoln, Spiritual Bliss, Missy Lincoln, Lincoln Wave, Johnny Lincoln.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
5.44pm
“From a good front line draw Harry can run off the gate and find the front. He’s shown he’s got the speed to get there. And if he can go 2:42 again, or quicker, I thought he’d be a very good winning chance. It’s an easier field than the one he beat last time. He’s trained well this week.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.09pm
“She goes down to Cambridge for the first time so it’s a big drop in class. She also goes a lot better left-handed so I thought from the good draw she could run top three.”
Race 3: Lincoln Maree
6.34pm
“She paced a 1:56.7 mile in beating the amateurs last start but it looks like she’ll need a bit of luck from the draw this time. The two inside her like to lead so she could end up three fence or outside them. I’ll leave it up to Harry to get the right trip.”
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.34pm
“He’s a place chance. He likes bowling along but from five it’s hard to say where he’ll end up. He’s very consistent and he paced 2:42.3 last time so I can absolutely see him in the money.”
Race 6: Lincoln Linda
8.04pm
“She was in a very strong R40 to R48 race last time at Auckland against horses like Alecto, All Of Me and Cyclone Rebel, and she clocked 2:41.1, so back to Cambridge where she won her first race, and a much easier R38 to R40 field, she’s got to be a good winning chance. She’s best in front if Fergie can get there.”
