Lincoln’s Girl is pushed off the track turning for home on Tuesday but did her best work late.
Lincoln’s Girl only has to be running on strongly to get the big tick again from Al
By Barry Lichter • 24 April 2019
Lincoln’s Girl will be tested from the outside of the gate at Albion Park on Friday but only has to repeat her run of Tuesday to satisfy trainer Al Barnes that she’s on the right track.
The Lincoln Farms owned filly might have finished only seventh last start but she was forced to start outside the draw after her previous gallop and ended up near the rear of the field.
Shunted out five wide on the home turn when mounting a run from the back, Lincoln’s Girl impressed driver Hayden Barnes with her strong finishing final 100 metres.
“She settled well, drove well and finished well off some good sectionals - 56.5 and 28.3 - so I was very happy.
“And she had a good blow afterwards so she’s still improving.’’
Barnes says to see Lincoln’s Girl still winding up after sprinting for 300 metres augurs well for her future.
“If she has a nice strong 400 metres in her then we’ll be right.’’
With Hayden committed to driving the horse he owns, Auckland Reactor debutante Dream Reaction, Lincoln’s Girl will be piloted by Chris Geary, a worthy stand-in according to Barnes.
“He doesn’t know her but if she can just be running on again, that’s all we want to see.’’
Safely through Friday’s race, Lincoln’s Girl can return to the draw and be more competitive at her next start.
Lincoln’s Girl lines up in the third race at 3.53pm NZ time.
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Ray’s comments
Wednesday at Auckland
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
5.10pm
“I can’t believe he’s not picked in four (on the HRNZ website). He actually headed Cyclone Rebel last start but switched off. We’ve added sliding blinds which seem to have helped in training and he’s got to be a good each-way chance. He just needs a bit of luck from six on the gate.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
5.10pm
“He’ll need some luck from the outside but hopefully he can still get a cheque. He doesn’t have as much speed as Prince Lincoln.”
Race 7: Spiritual Bliss
6pm
“I think she’ll be able to handle the rise in class. She’s a pretty good mare who keeps finding when the pressure goes on. It won’t be easy but she has a good draw and has already run a mile in 1:55.3.”
Race 7: Debbie Lincoln
6pm
“It’s hard to know how she compares with Spiritual Bliss but I think they’re both chances. Debbie Lincoln is still the fastest three-year-old to win over 1700 metres around Alexandra Park and she was excellent again when just pipped by Tyson last time.”
Race 12: Tyson
8.38pm
“The rise in class won’t stop him. If they go a bit harder, he can still run a 56 half off a solid pace. He’s improving all the time, more than I thought he would. He could easily win again.”
Race 12: Leo Lincoln
8.38pm
“We threw him in the deep end first-up when he really needed another trial. That race will bring him on a bit but I think he’ll need another before we see him at his best.”
