Trojan Banner has everything in his favour on Thursday night. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
Drawn the ace, Trojan Banner holds all the cards at Cambridge on Thursday
By Barry Lichter • 23 January 2019
Thursday is surely the night for Trojan Banner.
Weak field, barrier one, it all stacks up for the colt who has tested the patience of his trainer Ray Green and his owners since his last win 15 starts ago.
“It’s the best draw he’s had in 18 months,’’ says Green. “And he’s sharp as a tack.’’
About the only time Trojan Banner has drawn well in that time has been when he’s been in unwinnable races, against vastly superior horses. Like the night he drew two in the Alabar Classic and ran last, still pacing 2:42 for the 2200 metres behind Ultimate Sniper, Jesse Duke and Another Masterpiece.
We all thought it was his race to lose last time at Cambridge 11 days ago when he dropped down from Auckand company.
But while he paced a slick 2:40.8 it was only good enough for second behind About Turn after he looped the field at the bell to sit three wide with no cover on a 27.7 quarter.
Driver David Butcher managed to get cover down the back straight and produced him outside the leader 350 metres out but came up a length and a half short.
From the pole this time he will get a far easier trip, Butcher almost certain to gun straight for the top.
“I can’t imagine him being beaten this time,’’ says Green.
“He’s better than that lot.’’
Trojan Banner’s form might look ordinary on paper but his previous two starts at Auckland were solid
* On New Year’s Eve, he finished sixth, 5.7 lengths from winner Blazen River, but was buried four and five deep from his inside second row draw and had to come wide on the home turn when mounting his run.
* And before that, again from the second row, he lost a good early possie when he paced roughly then was pushed down to the markers, again ending up buried back in the field. Despite that he came with a resolute finish to run winner Sezana to 1.6 lengths.
On Thursday night Trojan Banner also has a major advantage on main rival Eastanbull who from three on the second row won’t be able to use his high gate speed. He is also having his first start for nearly three months.
More news in Harness
Dave Phillips back in the winner’s circle with Spiritual Bliss, lauding Lincoln Farms
Everything goes to script for new Gold Card member David Turner as Lincoln Wave swells
Sammy Lincoln can make amends on Friday after narrow escape - Spiritual Bliss too
Canny Fergie drive gets Lincoln Lover home at Taupo - and it won’t be his last win
Our runners this week
Wednesday night at Cambridge
Lincoln Maree, The Night Fox, Lincoln Lover.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Sammy Lincoln
6.18pm
“He was checked and locked wheels into the first turn last week and he had a decent puncture wound in his leg from where they ran into him so you certainly couldn’t condemn him for galloping. He’s a really nice horse, who is going to win races quickly. He hasn’t missed any work, and should be right in it.”
Race 3: Lincoln Wave
6.43pm
“He’s drawn wide again (six) but he’s good enough to get the job done. It’s a bit more of a test for him but there are no cup horses in there and he’s a pretty nice horse. We’ve waited for both him and Sammy Lincoln because of their setbacks at two but it’s been worth it.”
Race 4: Johnny Lincoln
7.11pm
“He was very tough in winning after sitting parked last week. He’s awkwardly drawn again but he tries hard and, with a bit of luck and a good trip, he can get some of it.”
Race 6: Tyson
8.08pm
“Completely forget his run last week when he had no luck in the running. He’s a definite chance.”
Race 6: Spiritual Bliss
8.08pm
“She took no harm from the incident last Friday and has trained on well. I think she’ll go well. If you analyse her run, they went down the back in 27.8 and she did well to finish on for fourth after sitting parked.”
