The mobile gate at Albion Park pulls away. If Trojan Banner stays on the markers on Friday he’ll be buried for sure.
‘Horrible’ draw for Trojan Banner leaves Al in a quandary over tactics for Friday
By Barry Lichter • 20 March 2019
Trainer Al Barnes has only one word for Trojan Banner’s draw at Albion Park on Friday - horrible.
Just a week after Lincoln Farms’ colt strolled round the track to a decisive first-up win in Queensland, he has been set a very difficult task from the inside of the second row.
And that, says Barnes, will make it very hard for him to win the third race at 4.57pm NZ time.
“He meets a similar class to last week and should really be a $1.50 shot but from there he could start at $4.
“The horse in front of him is a slug off the gate and if we follow him we could end up three or four deep on the fence.
“I’ll have to make a decision in the next few days what to do. If we come off early then you’ve got to circle the whole field and he’d have a very hard run.
“He’s certainly capable of doing it but I don’t know if I want to put pressure on him like that second up.’’
Trojan Banner looking sharp at his Marburg stable in Queensland this week.Barnes says he’s reluctant to “cook” Trojan Banner like his stablemate, former Lincoln Farms’ pacer Lincoln Road, who has endured two terrifically hard runs from bad draws in recent weeks and is now having a breather in the paddock.
Driving the horse quietly, especially when he is sure to be well backed, would come under the scrutiny of the stewards - “but they understand how it’s very hard to win coming from last.
“The only saving grace is that the race is over 2138 metres. If it had been a mile we would have been in a world of trouble.
“At least over the longer distance you have a little time up your sleeve. You can grab hold, pop off, give them a little breather in the second quarter, then take it as it comes.
“If the pace slackens you can slip around them. If not, you can be patient and put him in the race in the last 600 metres.
“He’s got a good enough turn of foot that he can come from anywhere.’’
Barnes says he has considered scratching Trojan Banner but with a two-week stand down it would only hinder his preparation and wouldn’t help pay the bills.
“He’s had a good week and has improved greatly since his last run but he’s still not at his peak.
“He took time to recover after his fast work yesterday and it was at 7am so it wasn’t in ridiculous heat.’’
Barnes confirmed his elder son Hayden would drive Trojan Banner again, despite Brendan being listed on the Australian harness website.
“Brendan is in Sydney for the Bathhurst Gold Crown.’’
Trojan Banner races at 4.57pm NZ time on Friday.
More news in Harness
Fine Cambridge double but Ray’s packing Lincoln Cove off to Matamata for scintigraphy
34 more meetings in the north next season as Auckland reclaims Friday nights
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Argyle out of action, injured, and barrier draw will take Nemo out of play too on Saturday
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.”
