
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
Little Missy can lead at Cambridge on Friday and she’s much more reliable than Sammy
Richer targets for little bargain Missy Lincoln after commanding fresh-up Auckland win
Hard to assess rivals but little Missy Lincoln’s sharp for resumption at Auckland on Friday
Stakes set to be cut by $3.26 million for 2026-27 as HRNZ initiates raft of belt-tightening
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Sharpe Stride
5.24pm
Nathan Delany: “He’s come back stronger and more solid. I’m happy with what he’s doing. Some days he’s good, some not so good but, if he steps, he should find the front pretty easily and trot along.”
Race 5: Copy Ten Four
6.53pm
“He’s a big colt but he goes quite well. Maurice has nursed him around a bit at the trials but the other day he sent him to the front and he hung on well. He’ll need plenty of luck from the draw.”
Race 9: Colonel Lincoln
8.46pm
“He’s finally got a draw but I’d like to see what he can do before I make judgement. He’s no superstar but he’s tradesman-like.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.46pm
“He’s racing well, he’s a trier, but it’s always tough from out wide, you’re just praying for a bit of luck.”
Race 10: Missy Lincoln
9.10pm
“I think she’ll cross the inside horse easily and I can’t see why she won’t go well again. She’ll be a bit fitter this time.”
Race 10: Sammy Lincoln
9.10pm
“He’s proven untrustworthy and only he knows what he’s going to do on Friday night. I thought he should have won last week with the trip he got.”

