Lincoln’s Girl as smart as can be in Albion Park trial - now onwards to the Rising Star
By Barry Lichter • 19 June 2019
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.
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.”
