Consistent Double Or Nothing looks good for another minor cheque tonight
By Barry Lichter • 21 February 2020
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.
More news in Harness
Return to left-handed racing will help Lincoln La Moose at Cambridge on Thursday night
Here’s Johnny … Ray introduces weanling sale graduate as deserved favourite on Friday night
Everybody’s favourite Kevin tops $50,000 - and Ray tips there’s plenty more in store
Shock move as Entain boss Shannon stands down; industry leaders ponder implications
Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
Johnny Lincoln, Tyson, Leo Lincoln, Kevin Kline.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: The Rascal
6.05pm
“He’s training very well and has had two workouts. He’s improving all the time and it wouldn’t surprise me if he was in the fray first-up.”
Race 3: Lincoln La Moose
6.30pm
“He’ll go better left-handed and it’s a weaker race than Auckland, of course. He’s gone good races in much better company and, with a reasonable trip from six, he should be quite competitive.”
Race 5: Dreams Of Eric
7.20pm
“I expect him to be in it from the inside draw. You can’t fault what he’s done recently and he could easily win.”
Race 5: Im Not The Maid
7.20pm
“She was well driven in the amateurs’ race last time (by John Kriechbaumer). That’s the type of drive she needs. She’s shown she can’t burn the candle at both ends.”
