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
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Argyle out of action, injured, and barrier draw will take Nemo out of play too on Saturday
Rampaging La Moose growing on Ray and right-handed shouldn’t be a worry
Grins night joy: Frisco Bay clears maidens in style and Ray’s hoping he’ll now go on with it
Our runners this week
Saturday night at Albion Park
Captain Nemo.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
