
Larry Lincoln (red hood) pierces through the centre for Hayden Barnes and gets up in the last stride to nail Our Madiba at Albion Park last Saturday night. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Larry can go all the way on Saturday night and cap stellar month for Al’s Lincoln Farms team
Larry Lincoln can lead all the way on Saturday night and ring up just on A$33,000 for the month in earnings for Lincoln Farms, says trainer Al Barnes.
With wins by all three horses he has racing for Lincoln Farms, Larry Lincoln, Northview Hustler and Bondi Shake, Barnes and his son Hayden have had a stellar month.
And with Larry Lincoln an almost certain leader from the pole, Barnes is bullish that the roll can continue in the fifth race at Albion Park.
“Larry deserves to be favourite and he’s got enough respect to lead and win.
“There are some capable horses in the race - Courageous Saint won well on Tuesday - but over a mile Larry will be very hard to beat from in front.”
Larry Lincoln showed a rare brand of speed for a horse of his grade last Saturday night when he came from three back on the outer to nail the favourite Our Madiba on the post.
Pulled three wide 600 metres from home, his sizzling closing 800 and 400 sectionals of 54.25 and 26.51 saw the 1660 metres cut out in a mile rate of 1:54.6.
Barnes says he’s very confident Bondi Shake can back up on his Tuesday win and run a place in the final race.
Bondi Shake faces a tougher field of three-year-olds but Barnes says he’s very bright and is sure to run a “cheeky race.”
“Dance In The Sun looks the winner but he can run second because he chases really well.
“He doesn’t like going from slow to pinging but he’ll sit on a fast speed and chase.”
Bondi Shake showed that determination when he came out of the trail on Tuesday and hunted down the favourite Coppice to score by a nose.
“This is stronger but he’s up to them.”
Larry Lincoln races at Albion Park at 10.47pm NZ time on Saturday night.
Bondi Shakes races at Albion Park at 1.20am NZ time early Sunday morning.
More news in Harness
Rivergirl Maggie’s donning tighter gear on Friday night to attract Auckland punters
Stable ‘oldie’ Leo Lincoln roars home for ninth win, thanks to peach of a drive by Zac
Maggie’s outgrown her pacifier and is ready to run a Homer on debut at Auckland on Friday
Ray: Copy Ten Four will go better left-handed at Cambridge on Thursday night. Roger that.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 3: Rivergirl Bella
7.22pm
“She’s knocking on the door and should get one soon. She moves out a little on the gate but has good early speed.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
8.20pm
“He made the most of a perfect pegs run last week but it will be harder for him this time, drawn the outside. But it’s only a small field and he’s racing well so he should go well again.”

Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Lincoln Downs
6.50pm
“She should get out OK as she has a bit of speed but she hasn’t carried it very far in the past. I think she’s got stronger now but she hasn’t raced for nearly nine months so she’ll more than likely need the run.”
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.50pm
“I don’t know what happened last time. She shouldn’t break like that again and, all going well, she’s the one to beat. You have to go on her previous run which was very good.”
Race 5: Rivergirl Maggie
7.21pm
“She put in a few steps on debut and Andre couldn’t let her go up the straight so we’ve tweaked her gear up a bit. She’ll go better this time.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.49pm
“He’s racing honestly and driving well but it’s hard to see him sprinting past this lot.”

