Trainer Al Barnes, with son Hayden, who is trimming down to resume his driving career. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Dad’s exercising and getting back in the cart - goal to fit his birthday suit into driving suit!
By Barry Lichter • 5 October 2020
It won’t just be a new look track and a newly invigorated Lincoln Farms team at Albion Park on Tuesday, even trainer Al Barnes is morphing into a lean, mean fighting machine.
Barnes, who celebrates his 48th birthday today, is very confident of winning with both Larry Lincoln and Man Of Action on Tuesday on the newly refurbished track.
And he will also don the silks again behind his own trotter Whataboyz in the opening race as he works towards his new goal of trimming down to resurrect his career in the cart.
With Barnes’ sons Hayden and Brendan set on working in the mines next year, he plans on taking over the stable’s driving duties.
“I only had three drives last year but I’m on my way down to my driving weight again and thought I’d start getting my eye in on Tuesday.”
Barnes says his health has improved out of sight since he threw away his pills and started exercising.
“I’ve got a lot of years of conditioning to lose but I’m trying to get down to the low 70s to see if I can fit back into my American suit.” Barnes wore the one-piece outfit when he trained and drove in the United States nearly 20 years ago.
While it might still be a stretch to get his birthday suit into his American suit, Barnes is very bullish he will take two winners to the track on Tuesday.
Neither Larry Lincoln nor Man Of Action has raced since September 18 after which upgrading work started at Albion Park, Barnes not keen to take them to the tight Redcliffe circuit.
“The track has been cut and resurveyed and the home turn is back up to 9 degrees. The turns were getting too flat - the home turn was down to 4 degrees - and that’s why it was so leader biased.
“It was still really heavy last Saturday night but once it settles in it will be good, we need some rain to help with that.”
Larry Lincoln scores an impressive debut win in Brisbane. PHOTO: Dan Costello.Barnes expects Larry Lincoln to repeat his impressive first-up win in the fourth race, where he starts from three on the gate over 2138 metres.
Larry Lincoln did plenty of work over 1660 metres in his Brisbane debut but still won comfortably in a 1:55 mile rate.
“He should have a bit of respect after that and the extra distance won’t be a problem. While the two horses inside him get out well, I can’t see them holding us out.
“And he’ll still be too good for them even if he has to sit parked outside them.
“He scored a tough win first-up and a lot of the local trainers were impressed by him.
“I can’t fault the way he’s working at home.
The photo finish goes against Man Of Action, inner, on his Albion Park debut. PHOTO: Dan Costello.“And I’m very confident with Man Of Action (race six) - he’ll win for fun.
“He’s really good and has improved out of sight from his first run.”
Barnes reported before that race that Man Of Action was well in need of the run yet he still went under only in the last stride in a 1:54.1 mile rate.
“From one on the second row he’s going to get a great trip behind the leader. Rocks Or Diamonds should hold the lead and the first half dozen steps will tell the story.”
Larry Lincoln races at 5.34pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
Man Of Action races at 6.47pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
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.”
