Lincoln’s Girl as smart as can be in Albion Park trial - now onwards to the Rising Star

Lincoln’s Girl looked beautifully primed for Friday night’s Rising Star Championship heat at Albion Park when she trialled in great style at the course yesterday.

Lincoln Farms’ improving filly finished just a head behind Smart As Camm Be, recognised as Queensland’s best filly, without being driven out, pacing the 1660 metres in a mile rate of 1:54.7.

Driver Hayden Barnes sat quiet in the sulky all the way down the home straight, with closing sectionals of 56.5 and 28.7.

“Hayden told me if he’d pulled the plugs and turned the stick he’d have run away,’’ said trainer Al Barnes.

“She went super and she needed the hitout. I didn’t want her to go into Friday night being too sharp and bright as she does get fresh.

“She’s tough and likes to race twice a week.’’

Barnes says Lincoln’s Girl is getting better and better, Hayden believing if the feature races were only over a mile they wouldn’t beat her.

Hayden Barnes is sitting quietly on Lincoln’s Girl yesterday, just a head behind the highly regarded Smart As Camm Be.Yesterday, Hayden was content to trail Tanyas Past until down the back straight with 650 metres to run when he pulled out and easily ran to the lead.

Smart As Camm Be meanwhile ranged up from fourth in the running to be second before the home turn where trainer-driver Kylie Rasmussen eased onto Lincoln’s Girl’s back before sprinting up the passing lane.

Smart As Camm Be, winner of 11 of her last 12 starts, contests Saturday night’s A$21,000 Redcliffe Oaks, leaving the way clear for Lincoln’s Girl on Friday night in the last race at 12.27am NZ time.

And Barnes says if the filly can take out the Rising Star Championship she will win just as much as if she’d won the Redcliffe feature.

This week’s Rising Star heat is worth just A$4500 but the final next week is for a stake of A$16,000.

Lincoln’s Girl draws perfectly in gate four on Friday night in what doesn’t look a strong race.

“From four she can balance up before going forward,’’ says Barnes. “And if they don’t let her go she can sit parked, it won’t worry her.’’

Barnes says Friday’s experience will help accustom the filly to night racing before the Queensland Oaks on July 13.

He’s just in two minds as to whether to let the filly stand in her stall all night waiting for the last race or to take her to the track later in a second load.

“When I first got Lincoln Road he didn’t handle being at the races for a long time but he ended up like a lamb. It might do her good to experience it when it’s only a heat.”

Lincoln’s Girl races at Albion Park at 12.27am NZ time on Friday night.