Hayden Barnes with Larry Lincoln who has a lethal sprint if saved up. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Forget that last run, lethal Larry will show his usual dash tomorrow at Albion Park
By Barry Lichter • 3 December 2020
Put the line through Larry Lincoln’s last start failure and expect him to bounce straight back into form at Albion Park tomorrow, says trainer Al Barnes.
Larry Lincoln tarnished his pick fence winning form line 12 days ago when he raced in midfield, was under pressure a long way from home and tailed the field in.
But Barnes says the horse simply failed to back up from his winning run four days earlier.
“We threw him in the deep end, not knowing if he could back up, and he obviously can’t.
“He got a touch fired up and pulled a bit hard. But Hayden didn’t knock him around. He could tell he wasn’t happy and left him alone.”
Barnes says even though Larry has drawn awkwardly at three on the second row on Friday, he expects him to finish in the money.
“He’ll be right this week and run on as usual. We gave him a little freshen up, of three to four days, and his work has been good since.
“We’re rapt with him and you can’t fault his form before the last run.”
Larry Lincoln showed he possessed a lethal sprint if not asked to go hard early, winning four in a row.
His main opposition on Friday looks to be from the pole in the form of the new Kiwi import Oaxacan Dream, now in the powerful stable of Craig Cross.
Formerly with Brendan Hill, the Big Jim four-year-old was a last-start winner at Addington in September, beating the All Stars’ Beyond Words with a tidy passing lane sprint. She is the winner of three of only seven starts.
Larry Lincoln races at 6.33pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday.
More news in Harness
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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.”
