It’s the Charge of the Light Brigade behind Lincoln’s Girl at Albion Park tonight.
Lincoln’s Girl oh so brave and Al tips that’s just the start of a winning roll
By Barry Lichter • 6 August 2019
Lincoln’s Girl surprised even trainer Al Barnes with her courageous win at Albion Park tonight when the finish was so close you could have thrown a blanket over the first nine home.
And so brave was the filly, Barnes now believes she can win another five or six races in the coming months for Lincoln Farms.
“She’s a lovely filly and tries so hard,” says Barnes. “I was really impressed with her tonight, I thought she was all out at the top of the straight.”
Barnes could have been forgiven for thinking the petrol tank would be empty turning for home after a brutal first half run in 55.7.
But it was the early burn that actually played into the hands of the highly strung filly, who, driven patiently by Hayden Barnes held her position until asked to sprint up three wide to lead at the bell.
It meant Lincoln’s Girl wasn’t pulling and over-racing, features of her recent racing over longer trips in the Oaks races.
“I knew she’d bounce back to form back in her right class as that’s her style of racing, out running and doing her own thing.”
But when Grant Dixon saw Barnes coming, he kicked up inside on Ark Me, knowing if he got to the front first, he’d earn a sweet trail behind the filly.
They’re coming from everywhere but Lincoln’s Girl holds on by two metres.Even with the extra exertion, Lincoln’s Girl still had plenty of fight up the straight, and she staved off a wall of attackers with eight horses lined across the track just behind her at the post, Ark Me and Hadley dead-heating for second and only noses back to Gold Reactor and Havana Moon.
Lincoln’s Girl, who paid $4.60 on the New Zealand tote, scored by two metres, clocking a slick 1:54.8 mile rate for the 1660 metres.
The game performance belied the fact Barnes spotted her pacing keenly in the warm-up, as darkness set in and the lights came on, a scenario he dreaded knowing she has a history of over-racing at night.
“But she’s getting better all the time and will only get better with more racing.
“She gets a mare’s concession of five points so is still on a pretty low rating and I think she can now go on and do what Trojan Banner did and win them in a row if I can find the right races for her.”
The A$4546 winning stake boosted Lincoln’s Girl’s earnings since she arrived in Queensland to A$25,673, a fine return for a filly who was considered weak when she arrived in the state earlier in the year.
And while Lincoln’s Girl might have a for sale sign on her, Barnes believes she will be worth even more money as she gets older and stronger.
“I’d love to keep her. I’d buy her myself if I had the money.”
The challengers are spread right across the track at the finish.
More news in Harness
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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.”
