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Consistent Double Or Nothing looks good for another minor cheque tonight

Consistent pacer Double Or Nothing may have to sit parked at Albion Park tonight but he should still earn a cheque, says trainer Al Barnes.

Double Or Nothing, nabbed in the last few strides last week after leading from seven, moves in to gate five in the opening race but Barnes says he’s unlikely to get the front this time with Im Norma Jean drawn one inside him.

“There’ll be no lead for him with Nathan Dawson driving but we’ll go forward anyway and park out. It’s not worth taking a sit with him, he’s not the greatest from behind.

“But he should earn another cheque. He’s a great bread and butter horse that you’d love to own.”

In six Queensland starts Double Or Nothing has racked up a win, three seconds, a third and an unlucky fourth when bottled up.

“He’ll do a good job again but it will be a tough race for him to win.”

Double Or Nothing, who is rated 66 in the rating 65 to 75 race, has most of his main opposition drawn inside him with Grant Dixon’s Cherrys The Best in three and Jack Butler’s Handsome Hero in one.

The rangy Sweet Lou gelding boasts a record of three wins and 15 placings from his 26 starts for A$49,067 in stakes.

Meanwhile, Barnes says all reports from Sydney are good on Northview Hustler.

The infections which burst out of his heels last week are healing nicely and he fast-worked yesterday in preparation for his next start at Menangle on Saturday week.

Double Or Nothing races at 9.19pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday night.Double Or Nothing races at 9.19pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday night.

Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 5: Lincoln Lover
6.49pm

“You can’t fault what he’s done in his last four starts - he hasn’t missed a cheque. He’s raced at Auckland before as a two-year-old against good horses so it shouldn’t be too daunting for him. He’ll go an honest race, it’s just whether he’s good enough.”

Race 7: The Night Fox
7.57pm

Nathan Delany: “He had to trial on Tuesday after hitting the gate and breaking at Cambridge and I was happy with how he went. He ran Dear God to half a length in 2:38, and got home in 27.3. I’ll tell Harry to have one run at them and he should beat them for speed. Hopefully they run along a bit and he’ll sprint straight past them.”

Race 7: Lincoln Maree
7.57pm

“She lacks a bit of speed but she’s a rough chance.”

Race 8: Lincoln Linda
8.24pm

“It’s her first start for five months and she hasn’t trialled but she’s training well. She has plenty of ability and there’s nothing wonderful in the race. In the past she’s been her own worst enemy, a lunatic at times, but she seems more settled this time in. You could say I’m hopeful more than confident.”

Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.24pm

“She has a bit of speed. She hasn’t been strong but seems to have developed a bit more this time in and is training quite well. I don’t think there’s much between her and Lincoln Linda.”

Dan Costello Race Photography