Forget Billy went round last time - even Hayden couldn’t see where he was going
By Barry Lichter • 13 November 2019
A newly resurfaced Albion Park opens on Thursday with Billy Lincoln poised to pick up his winning thread.
Lincoln Farms’ improving three-year-old lines up in the second race, a wide front row draw not expected to stop him from securing the front.
Trainer Al Barnes says you can put the line through Billy Lincoln’s last start failure at Redcliffe on November 1 when in his first look at the tricky tight circuit he repeatedly locked on one rein.
Driver Hayden Barnes told a judicial inquiry into Billy Lincoln’s run that he also disliked running in the heavy rain, racing three wide from the 1200 metres and failing to run on.
“Hayden told me the rain was so heavy he couldn’t see two feet in front of him.”
Knowing even seasoned horses can struggle with the Redcliffe saucer, Al Barnes simply turned the page and waited for Albion Park to reopen.
And he says while fresh, Billy Lincoln won’t be underdone.
“He’s not the best trackworker, he’s a bit lazy. He’s pretty casual now he’s settled into his new home.
“But I’d say he’ll be about 95% and that should be enough in this field, which isn’t overly strong.
“He’ll push forward and find a good spot and will really appreciate being back at Albion Park.”
None of the horses drawn inside Billy Lincoln are in form, the best of his rivals on the second row, so Barnes expects he will find the front, from where he will be very had to run down.
“It’s getting a little harder for him every time but he should be right for a couple more easy wins. He hasn’t done anything wrong so far and is progressing and getting better with each run.”
Billy Lincoln’s four previous runs in Queensland resulted in three wins and a close second.
“Even when he was beaten he paced 28 and 28 home which was a PB for him.
“He’s exceeded everyone’s expectations since he came over from New Zealand. No one thought he’d do so well, so soon.”
In his last win at Albion Park on October 25, the Bettor’s Delight gelding clocked a mile rate of 1:55.5 for the 1660 metres, clearly faster than all of his rivals bar Oasis Dream. But the veteran’s lifetime mark of 1:53.5 was set two years and four months ago and he has won only one of his last 42 starts.
Billy Lincoln races at 4.20pm NZ time at Albion Park on Thursday afternoon.
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Rampaging La Moose growing on Ray and right-handed shouldn’t be a worry
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.”
