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
Prince Lincoln finally shows what he’s made of - and, wow, was that a blazing demolition!
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
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.”
