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
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Johnny Lincoln
5.39pm
“He didn’t do anything at Auckland last start but seems to go better left-handed and placed at Cambridge in his only start there.”
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.39pm
“Her driver (Harrison Orange) said she would have won last start had that horse (Mr Miki) not stopped in her face. The winner was gone by the time she saw daylight. She will just need some luck from the second row draw.”
Race 2: Prince Lincoln
5.39pm
“He should have won last start at Auckland but we’ve taken the blinds off on Friday night and, in a weaker line-up, going left-handed, we’ll see how he goes.”
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.37pm
“I think the race will be won or lost soon after the start. It’s out of our control, we just have to hope she gets a run through and then I’m sure she’ll be hard to beat.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
8.40pm
“She’s got a little bit of lick but only has a short sprint, so timing is everything.”
Race 8: Lincoln Lover
8.40pm
“Being put in the race from the start last time obviously took a bit of the sting out of him. But at least there’s no chance that will happen this time from the second row. In his previous races he’d ducked for cover and got sucked along but he needs a decent tempo, he’s no sit-sprinter.”
