Hayden takes it on the chin and pledges to give our Girl a better trip this time

Driver Hayden Barnes admits he had a brain snap last week on Lincoln’s Girl.

But he promises there’ll be no repeat when the filly tackles the A$16,000 Rising Stars Championship Final at Albion Park on Saturday night.

And, if things pan out and they go hard in front, trainer Al Barnes can see the filly taking out the thick end of the good purse.

Hayden drove the Lincoln Farms’ owned filly like she was a Rolls Royce in last week’s heat, engaging in a high speed duel over the first 400 metres which was cut out in a white hot 25.9.

Hayden Barnes … put his hands up over last week’s drive.He’d all but crossed over to the lead on the filly when Matt Elkins on Aphorism threw everything at his horse trying to hold him out.

Lincoln’s Girl eventually made the lead but it was at a cost and she ran out of puff in the run home, still battling on bravely for fourth, only 5.5 metres from the winner who clocked a 1:54.5 mile rate.

From six, one from the outside of the gate, there’ll be no early charge for the lead this time.

“There’s too much speed inside her for that,’’ says Al Barnes.

“She’s better anyway when not used in the first 300 metres or 400 metres.

“If Hayden’s patient and drives a smart race I can see her winning. He can drop off, find a possie, and slide up from the 800. If they go silly up front he’ll come with one run and a 55 half should be able to win it.’’

Barnes says it’s an even field for the final - “there are a couple as good as her, but none better. The horse that won our heat (Amillion Promises) is consistent. But we’ve got the right horse to win the race. She’s tough.”

Three starts back, in her last win and fourth overall in Queensland, Lincoln’s Girl clocked a hot 1:53.3 mile rate after being three wide to the death seat.

Barnes’ only worry is that last week’s early burn might have fired up the filly and she might try to do the same on Saturday night.

Princess Tiffany, outer, and Belle Of Montana battle it out in the Three-Year-Old Diamond at Addington.“I want her to learn to settle as the plan is to get to the Oaks.’’

The A$100,000 Queensland Oaks (2138m) is run at Albion Park on July 13.

Barnes will get to see the dominant favourite for the Oaks when she trials at 4.38pm between races at Albion Park on Friday.

The All Stars’ New Zealand Oaks winner (Our) Princess Tiffany, who went under by a nose to Belle Of Montana last time in a stirring home stretch duel at the Harness Jewels, is drawn to start from the ace in a 1660 metre heat.

Lincoln’s Girl races at 9.38pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday.