Sir Tiger meets a weak field at Albion Park on Friday night.
Here we go again - Sir Tiger all set to begin a winning streak in Queensland on Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 11 September 2019
The 1113 form line credited to Sir Tiger at Albion Park on Friday night is woefully incorrect but new trainer Al Barnes is sure he will soon be sporting a string of wins like that.
How Sir Tiger’s recent record came to be embellished so much on the Australian harness site is anyone’s guess - it should read 14100 - but regardless, Barnes says he is confident his newest Lincoln Farms recruit will open his Queensland career with a bang.
“The horse looks fantastic, he’s full of dapples, and I’m sure he’ll string a few wins together like Trojan Banner did, but maybe not seven of them!
“We haven’t done a great deal with him since he arrived - a couple of fast works but he doesn’t need much as he’s already fit.”
Sir Tiger meets a very ordinary bunch of rating 48 to 52 pacers on Friday, drawn five in a 2138 metre event for $6540.
“He should lead or sit outside them and just be too good. He should win on his ear.”
Barnes knows the credentials of likely second favourite Bundjalung Beauty well as his son Hayden drove the mare to an all-the-way win last Thursday.
“But she rated only 1:56.3, which is the fastest she’s gone, and Sir Tiger should easily beat that.”
The other last start winner in the field, Guy Looks Good, went even slower, rating 1:58.3 over 1660 metres.
Barnes has taken over the training of Sir Tiger and Billy Lincoln after the recent sale of his three previous good performers for Lincoln Farms to America, Trojan Banner, Lincoln’s Girl and Vasari who won 15 races between them.
Northview Hustler, in his box at Marburg, has missed work with a foot infection.Hustler will need the run
His remaining runner, Northview Hustler, resumes on Saturday night after a foot infection forced his scratching 11 days ago.
The Hustler has drawn six in an eight-horse field over 1660 metres and Barnes says he’ll need the run after missing five or six day’s work.
“He’ll still be competitive and can run top three but we’ll just be patient and let him run on. Last time we did that he ran a close second.”
Barnes is expecting some fireworks from KerryAnn Morris’ pair Pembrooks Passion and Aztec Bromac, drawn the two inside spots.
“Pembrook’s Passion rated 1:52.9 in winning last Saturday. And Watch Pulp Fiction, in three, is going nicely.”
The best performed horse in the field, Mach Alert, who rated 1:53.3 in winning over 2138 metres last start, has drawn the outside of the front line.
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Sammy Lincoln
5.48pm
“Sammy Lincoln has a bit more speed than Lincoln Wave - he’s very fast for a big, rangy horse - but he might be vulnerable on Friday - he could experience difficulty on the corners going right-handed. He won’t be a maiden for long.”
Race 2: Lincoln Wave
5.48pm
“I’d say he’d be the more reliable of our two. He was clearly our best two-year-old before he got injured and we’ve waited a long time for him. He’s a powerful colt and should have a bright future.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.13pm
“The seven draw is a bit awkward but he’s trained on really well since Cambridge and I’m picking he’ll go really well.”
Race 8: Tyson
8.38pm
“He had a week off after his last run at Auckland, but I don’t think he’ll be short of a run. He’ll come back into the fray as tough as ever.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.38pm
“She was incredibly unlucky at Cambridge. The gap opened up for Harrison, he tried to push through, then it closed on him. If she led, she’d be the one to beat. She’s a nice mare and she’s pretty tough, she doesn’t give it up.”
Ray’s comments
Monday at Taupo
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
11.55am
“She’s been held up from awkward draws lately but gets the inside on Monday. She has limited ability but is racing really well and there are no superstars in the field. I think she’ll be fine on the grass as she’s good-gaited and wears no boots. She tries very hard and looks to have a decent show.”
Race 7: Lincoln Lover
2.17pm
“He’s the consummate tradesman, reliable and honest and deserves a win. He was only beaten by the passing lane runner last time after sitting parked for the last lap. He’s drawn to lead here and if he does that he’ll be hard to beat.”
