Vasari, wide out, gets up on the line to nail the favourite Tennyson Bromac at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Old Vasari scores again and you can mark that one down to a patient drive from Hayden
By Barry Lichter • 11 August 2019
A patient drive by Hayden Barnes saw Lincoln Farms’ Vasari register his third and best win in Queensland last night.
Starting from the back row in a strong field of higher rated horses at Albion Park, Vasari looked up against it, which was reflected in his $14 odds.
And when the favourite, the former All Stars’ pacer Tennyson Bromac turned for home in front, and Vasari was still with the tailenders and four wide, it looked curtains.
Vasari, extreme left, is four wide and still near the tail of the field as they head for home.But while Tennyson Bromac worked hard to find the death seat early, Barnes gave Vasari an easy trip three back on the outer. And when he asked the big horse to go, Vasari really put in, charging down the outer to nail Tennyson Bromac right on the wire.
“It was a good drive by Hayden,” said trainer Al Barnes. “He showed a bit of patience and he hit the line full of running.
“It didn’t surprise me, he’s been going good races and with a good trip in a small field he was really suited.
“He just loves to roll - he can’t give you a 26 but he can run 28 quarters all day.”
With closing sectionals of 28.6 and 28, and a mile rate of 1:55.8, the pace was made to order for Vasari who scored by half a head, even though commentator Chris Barsby said it was too close to call.
The win was the 15th of Vasari’s career, which started in New Zealand where he showed high speed, winning five of his 26 starts for trainer Ray Green.
The win, worth $4723, elevated Vasari’s rating to 80, which will make it even tougher for him in the future.
But Barnes says the horse, now six, seems to be living up to the potential he showed earlier in his career.
He is raced by Lincoln Farms’ John and Lynne Street along with Ian Middleton, Rod and Sue Fleming and Peter Jeffares.
The commentator couldn’t call it but Vasari has a clear margin on Tennyson Bromac.
More news in Harness
This is it, Sammy, the draw’s a bit of a pain but you can eat these non-winners for breakfast
Prince Lincoln finally shows what he’s made of - and, wow, was that a blazing demolition!
Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.14pm
“She tries hard and is getting stronger. She just needs a trip to be right there.”
Race 3: Copy N Paste
6.16pm
“Maurice said he got a bit tired on debut but I didn’t expect a lot. Four months ago you’d have wondered if he’d ever qualify. He’ll improve on that - he’s improving all the time - but from seven he’ll have to go back and come into it late.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.14pm
Update: Scratched
“She’s up in grade but is a chance again if she can get a good run up the front of the field. It was a good effort last time to break 2:43.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.49pm
“She’s trained on OK and, while no champion, has to be a chance down in grade against the amateur horses.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.57pm
“I can’t see her beating Sammy Lincoln but with a good draw at last you’ll see a better performance. She’s capable of finishing in the first three.”
Race 4: Spirit Of God
6.57pm
“She bolted in at the workouts, leading out from a wide gate and getting home in 27.9. She’s a great driving little mare and has good manners. I could see her winning one very soon.”
Race 4: Sammy Lincoln
6.57pm
“I know we’ve said it before but he has been unlucky a few times and, all things being fair and square, it’s hard to see him beaten. The draw is awkward but everything points to him winning. There are no derby horses in there and he went a great race in the Northern Derby last start.”
Race 4: Marylynes Boy
6.57pm
“He’s a tidy little horse. I can’t see him winning from the (second row) draw but he’s like Spirit Of God, he’s not far away from winning one.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.25pm
“He’s been a late developer. You can see it in his growth, his withers have finally popped up, and he’ll get better as time goes on. He’s no champion but he should be a handy horse through winter. He’s capable of stepping away fairly well.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.25pm
“It’s a toss-up between the two of them. Sugar Ray is a bit stronger perhaps but Leo is very good from a stand. You can forget that last run in the Messenger - he was only in there to help get the race off the ground.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.25pm
“He finally showed us what he’s got last week. Inside second row draws can be awkward - you’re at the mercy of the others - but he could end up with a good trail behind the leader.”
