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
By Barry Lichter • 26 February 2021
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
Cheapies The Night Fox and Lincoln Maree keep the tally ticking over at Cambridge
Little Missy Lincoln can stand up for herself in Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night
Leo poised to roar again - he looks a ratings special at Cambridge on Thursday night
Pole goes on The Night Fox - now he just needs a little luck from a niggly draw on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.55pm
“Frank drove a nice race on her last time, doing a bit of work early before leading and trailing, but I think the result might have been different if she’d led all the way. She has no speed, she’s better in front and rolling, so this week we’ll tell Frank to go forward and to not hand up and hopefully she can go one better.”
Race 4: The Night Fox
6.56pm
“He got KOed last time at Auckland but Harry said he felt like he could have won with a decent draw so we’ll just put that race behind us. I wouldn’t say this field is any harder. We’ve got a bad draw again but it depends on how the race pans out. I think he can still win.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.58pm
“He’s doing a good job, and he ran home well last time at Cambridge, but Leo Lincoln is definitely the pick of ours.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.58pm
“He’ll strip a lot fitter and I think he’s a good winning chance. He’s been racing open class horses and this is a huge drop back for him.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Linda
5.06pm
“I’m not holding my breath. She beat a poor bunch at Cambridge and will have to step up here.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
5.45pm
“Given the right trip, she should finish off not too bad as she has a bit of speed but, after two runs back, she needs to improve.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s only little but she trialled super and got home in 2:00.6 mile rate. If she repeats that, she’ll be in the fray. It’s early days yet but she’s a nice, tractable filly who has drawn well in two and, based on that one trial, you’d have to give her a chance. Whether she improves off it, we’ll see.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.34pm
“I don’t think any of the others stand over her. She’s a tough mare who has trained on well. I’d love to see her in front, she’s proven that’s where she goes best, but whether she’ll get there from four is debatable. But I’m sure she’ll go another good race.”
