Consistent Double Or Nothing drawn to lead again though the company is stronger
By Barry Lichter • 28 February 2020
Trainer Al Barnes believes Double Or Nothing’s gate speed should help him get some of the money again at Albion Park on Saturday night even though he faces a stronger line-up.
Double Or Nothing steps up in company and distance in the fourth race but should easily find the lead from two on the gate.
And from there Barnes says he’ll take catching as usual.
“He’ll be in front, doing his best, and I don’t think the step-up from a mile to 2138 metres will make any difference to him.”
Double Or Nothing was driven hard out of the gate to lead from five last week and looked home on the turn, only to be swamped late and finish fourth, four metres behind winner Cherrys The Best.
Pull down blinds did not work on Double Or Nothing last week when he was swamped late into fourth.‘We tried pull down blinds on him and they backfired,” says Barnes.
“As soon as Hayden pulled them he regretted it.”
Double Or Nothing has tackled 2138 metres only once in Queensland, when a close second, and has yet to run further back than fourth in seven starts there.
It mirrors his New Zealand form when he finished further back then fourth only three times in 20 starts, earning $40,000.
“He’s very reliable, he just tends to wait for them a bit in the straight. But they’ve still got to catch him and he’s very fit now.
“We don’t do a lot with him at home in between races, just jog him and keep him as fresh and sharp as possible.”
One of the hardest for him to beat on Saturday night will be the former Mark Jones-trained Jamies Bad Boy who has racked up four wins and four seconds from eight starts since arriving in Brisbane.
Double Or Nothing races at 10pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
