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Oh so easy for Trojan Banner - and there’s plenty more to come, promises Al

Trojan Banner’s New Zealand owners can look forward to regular Friday wins, says Queensland trainer Al Barnes.

The three-year-old, raced by Lincoln Farms and a big partnership, made short work of his rivals in his first start in Australia today at Albion Park.

In virtually a carbon copy of Barnes’ pre-race prediction, Trojan Banner came off the arm steadily, and when balanced up driver Hayden Barnes moved forward to take up an easy lead.

The horse was never challenged after and cruised home to win by 7.6 metres, clocking a mile rate of 1:55.6 for the 1660 metres.

Barnes never got serious as he ran a closing 800 metres in 56.4, giving the horse one flick with the whip when he had his ears pricked, seemingly waiting for his rivals.

Al Barnes, who stayed home in Marburg today to make sure his team was safe in a wild storm, says his son was thrilled with the effort and reported Trojan Banner had a good blow afterwards but pulled up well.

Al Barnes … huge improvement left in Trojan Banner.Al Barnes … huge improvement left in Trojan Banner.“He said he wouldn’t mind trying pull down (blinds) on him to make him concentrate but we’ll leave him for a few runs and maybe try them when the pressure goes on to make him sharper.

“He is a colt after all and they only do what they have to.’’

Barnes says there’s a huge amount of improvement still to come in Trojan Banner.

“I was pleased to see him do that today, given the hot weather we’ve had. It was still 33 degrees today with about 90 percent humidity.’’

Barnes now plans to race Trojan Banner regularly on Friday afternoons and says he should easily go through the grades, winning another five races before the opposition gets tougher in class three to four.

“He’s still eligible for a c0 maiden next time and that will be comfortable for him.

“He’ll race once a week in Friday grade - he earned $3394 today and little fish are sweet - before we step him up to Tuesdays where it’s a little harder but the money’s a little better.

“But I want to keep him to weak races for now to keep his confidence up and keep him assertive.’’

Trojan Banner has nearly 40 people in his ownership, the largest of all Lincoln Farms’ successful partnerships.

As well as Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street, its business manager Ian Middleton and office staffer Merle Gradwell, there’s Carl Officer’s eight larger than life Waikato lads in the Four Legs syndicate, Steve McCormick’s mob of 23 from Christchurch’s Green Machine Syndicate, all former Marist rugby mates, Addington racing manager Brian Rabbitt and his sister Margaret, Joe and Raewyn Chojnacki, Auckland veteran Bob Best and former trainer Ray Green.

Barnes says Lincoln Farms’ second import Lincoln’s Girl will trial on Tuesday fortnight.

Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 4: Tyson
6.59pm

“He was tough again in winning last week. He’s trained on well, is in good shape, and should be right in it.”

Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.59pm

“He’s finally getting his act together - he’s gone three good races in a row - and seemingly turned the corner. We’ve had a lot of (vet) work done on him, his feet in particular, and it’s paid off. There’s not much between him and Tyson.”

Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.23pm

“She’ll need everything to go her way from the draw. But she’s got a bit of speed. She’s getting there. She wasn’t very strong before and wasn’t tracking too well, but she’s driving right now.”

Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.23pm

“She’s had a few issues, mostly mental ones, and is still a bit of a handful. It wasn’t very pretty last week but we’re slowly getting her under control. The outside draw might actually help her.”

Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.23pm

“She needs only a half decent trip to feature. She got held up a little bit in the straight at a crucial time last week and that was that.”

Race 6: Prince Lincoln
7.49pm

“He’s drawn the best of ours in three. He got cheated for a run last week. It’s hard to know where he’d have finished without that.”

Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.49pm

“Ferg reckoned if he’d been able to hold up in the trail last week he would have won. He was very bullish about how he’d gone. The draw’s no help but he can do a bit of work. He’s an honest little guy who saves his best for when the money’s up on racenight.”

Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
7.49pm

“He got a bit keen last week but he should be a lot better this time. He’s still learning and he’s a slow learner. When he does things correctly he’s a pretty nice horse. Hopefully he can get a suck into it from the second row draw.”

Dan Costello Race Photography