Trainer Al Barnes with son Hayden after Northview Hustler’s Flashing Red win on his Queensland debut. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Great job Al - that’s 40 wins and A$287,000 in just two years training for Lincoln Farms
By Barry Lichter • 22 February 2021
Fresh from achieving a milestone 40 wins for Lincoln Farms, Queensland trainer Al Barnes lines up another solid chance in Bondi Shake at Albion Park on Tuesday.
Barnes was straight back into preparing the next batch of winners after Larry Lincoln’s upset win on Saturday night.
But he allowed himself a moment to reflect on what has been a memorable achievement in just two years training for the leading New Zealand operation.
“It’s nice to look back on the wins and, until you see them all compiled, you don’t realise how profitable it’s been for John (Street) and Lincoln Farms.
“I’m very happy with what we’ve achieved. It’s not bad for a small team.”
Northview Hustler has been the flag bearer, winning eight races and more than $100,000 in stakes. PHOTO: Dan Costello.Since Lincoln Farms sent its first pair of horses, Trojan Banner and Lincolns Girl, to Barnes at Marburg in February 2019, he has won 40 races and A$287,769 in stakes.
But it’s not just the race winnings that have made the operation so successful, hundreds of thousands of dollars more have been reaped with Trojan Banner, Lincolns Girl, Vasari and Billy Lincoln sold to the United States and others locally.
“Between the prizemoney and the sales it’s a good amount in two years and shows it’s been a successful business model. Hopefully it will be the start of a new wave of horses.”
Trojan Banner … won seven straight before a high priced sale to the States. PHOTO: Dan Costello.Barnes’ list of winners is headed by the now seven-year-old Northview Hustler, who has won eight races and A$103,493 since arriving in May, 2019.
But undoubtedly one of the most exciting for Barnes and his sons Hayden and Brendan was Trojan Banner who was outmuscled in New Zealand, winning just three of his 18 starts, but won seven straight in Queensland before a high priced sale to America.
Just two of the 13 horses he has taken under his wing have not won races and they left New Zealand with little to no expectations.
Improver
Bondi Shake slots into the improvers’ category, having notched two wins, five seconds and three fourths from 12 starts, a consistent record which Barnes expects to improve rapidly.
“He’s going really well and hasn’t had much luck. This looks a good race for him, it’s not overly strong.”
Bondi Shake … improving all the time. PHOTO: Dan Costello.Bondi Shake has drawn one on the second row but Barnes says that will suit the horse who had to cover plenty of extra ground at his last start after drawing widest on the gate and dropping to the rear.
Three wide for the last 800 metres and forced five wide turning for home Bondi Shake still rattled off the fastest last 800 and 400 in the race of 56.02 and 28.22.
His determined home stretch bid carried him within 7.2 metres of the winner Blue Shard and he was just one metre away from second.
“I rate him a top two chance on Tuesday. The one (Coppice) should lead and he’ll sit in the trail or three fence at worst and be in the money.
“It’s just a matter of whether he can wind up fast enough from behind the leader. He doesn’t ping.”
Bondi Shake races at 7.03pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
More news in Harness
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
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.”
