Double Or Nothing gets a front row draw at Albion Park on Friday, Sir Tiger too
By Barry Lichter • 15 January 2020
The way Double Or Nothing chewed up his rivals from a bad draw in his Queensland debut at Albion Park augurs well for his second start on Friday from the front row.
And expect a dividend-filling run from Sir Tiger too, drawn the pole in the final race, even though he failed to beat one home last week.
Double Or Nothing really impressed driver Hayden Barnes last Thursday when he started from the outside of the second row, looped the field to lead at the bell, and won with the handbrake on in 1:55.4.
While up in grade this week, in a rating 60 to 70 race, trainer Al Barnes says it’s not an overly strong race and Double Or Nothing is sure to acquit himself well again.
“We’re keeping him fresh and he’s doing well. He doesn’t need a lot of work - he showed that by winning last week, coming off a bit of a break.
“He’ll have improved with the run and from five on the front row he’ll go forward and be hard to beat.”
Barnes says Sir Tiger has also had a nice quiet week and will go better than many expect in his heat of the Rising Stars.
The horse endured a horror trip last week through no fault of his own, first three wide with cover, then three wide solo the last lap, just off the leaders, before dropping out.
“I thought it was a good effort to finish only 20 metres from the winner when it went 1:54.7.
“I’m expecting him to go well this week and he should definitely run in three from the ace draw.
“He’s getting out of the gate well and should be quick enough to hold his position without using him too much.”
Barnes can see Sir Tiger capitalising on a handy markers trip and qualifying for the A$16,000 Rising Stars Final the following week.
Double Or Nothing races at 7.25pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday night.
Sir Tiger races at 8pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday night.
More news in Harness
Draw against Jessie Lincoln on debut but she’s the best of the four fillies in Lincoln green
You’ve got it wrong, Green tells bookies of Debbie Lincoln’s $61 price for Nevele R Final
With a little more room, look for Tyson to land another knockout blow at Auckland on Friday
Dreams Of Eric passes Ashburton test with flying colours; he eats up being drilled
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Tuesday at Addington
Race 9: Debbie Lincoln
4.03pm
“She’s drawn out but I think she’s got the gate speed to be put into the race. You’ve got to be handy to beat the good ones and we don’t want to be stuck behind some of the others. The one drawn two inside us, Arafura, looks the one to beat but Debbie is as good as anything in the race in my opinion. It’s not going to be easy but I’m hopeful. She’s done well down here and is in good shape.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 5: Im Not The Maid
6.17pm
“The draw helps and while she’s very honest she still needs to improve. Gary Hall said she was a bit stop-start last time but he cut corners and wasn’t too far away at the finish. He reckoned his toe rope broke at the top of the straight.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
7.49pm
“She showed no speed when resuming and it’s hard to see her playing a part in this.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
7.49pm
“She went the best of them last time, was hampered turning or home, and could improve.”
Race 8: Jessie Lincoln
7.49pm
“She’s a big filly but so far, so good. There are a few negatives, like the second row draw and it being her first time under lights, but I think she could go quite well. It’s not a wonderful lot against her and she’s training well.”
Race 8: Lincoln’s Spice
7.49pm
“She over-raced early first-up and burned herself out. She’s a delicate little thing but we’ll put some plugs in her this week. Last time in I thought she could be the best of them. Whether the others have caught her up or she’s gone backwards I don’t know.”
