Part owner Bob Best with his best mate ‘Louie’, or Double Or Nothing as punters know him.
Double Or Nothing has Hayden buzzing after lightning last-to-first win at Albion Park
By Barry Lichter • 9 January 2020
“He’s my new Trojan Banner.”
That was driver Hayden Barnes’ description of Double Or Nothing before the horse debuted in Queensland today, in response to one of the many racegoers who admired his shiny coat and awesome looks.
And afterwards, Barnes was not backing off on the statement, Lincoln Farms’ new rep having torn his rivals apart, with a lightning last-to-first move with a lap to run.
“I really like this horse, he did it jogging today. When the other horse (Amaya Becomes) dropped off, he half spat the bit out but he kicked again when he heard another one coming.”
Double Or Nothing is jogging, 3.3 metres in front of Dataldo, Amaya Becomes and Somehowsomeway.At the line the Sweet Lou gelding, whose stable name is Louie, held a 3.3 metre margin which flattered his rivals, clocking a swift mile rate of 1:55.4 for the 1660 metres, with closing sectionals of 56.4 and 27.9.
Barnes says he was pleasantly surprised when he pulled out with a little over a lap to run, hoping to get up and sit outside the leader.
“He took off and then I thought I might even be able to get to the front.”
So quickly did Double Or Nothing arrive, the leader had no chance of holding him, driver Keith Durston’s urgings on Dataldo in vain.
“The way he felt today he should rack up a fair few wins very quickly. He’s rated in the 60s now so it will step up but there’s still a lot of improvement in him.
“His heart rate was 93 today and, while not too high, he’ll get a lot fitter than that.”
Third best
Barnes says he already rates Double Or Nothing the third best horse Lincoln Farms has sent to Marburg to be trained by his dad Al, behind Northview Hustler and Trojan Banner who won his first seven races straight in Queensland.
“What I like is that he does everything so easily. You know when you drive a good horse.”
Job well done … Hayden Barnes pulls up on Double Or Nothing after his decisive drive today.Barnes’ display on Double Or Nothing was right up to the mark, getting round the field in the slowest quarter of 31.1.
And after reeling off the next two fractions in 28.5 and 27.9, he says it made it very hard for the others.
‘We juniors drive pretty aggressively - it’s just how we are. If you drive them too pretty you can’t win races here because they get home too fast.”
Today’s win took Double Or Nothing’s record to three wins and 11 placings from 21 starts for $43,833 for owners Lincoln Farms, Rod and Sue Fleming, Neville McAlister and Bob Best.
More news in Harness
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Nate having a last spin round on his wee mate Eric - and he’s in with a very good chance
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
