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.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln LInda
5.14pm
“The fillies she raced against in the Sires’ Stakes Semi were the best around so this is a massive drop in class for her. I imagine Fergie will work his way forward, as she’s best in front, and then she’d become the one to beat.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
5.16pm
“The draw helps as he likes being in front. The raw ability is there but from time to time he’s reluctant to show it. But that last start was a vast improvement.”
Race 1: Colonel Lincoln
5.16pm
“He was definitely in need of the run first-up and will benefit from another. He’s been off the scene for a long time.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.08pm
“He did well second-up, peeling off a 55.1 half. He’s been a slow maturer but I think he’s getting stronger as he gets older - he certainly feels much stronger in his work.”
Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.08pm
“The Cambridge race has brought him on and I’m sure he’ll go well again, but he won’t be butchered a week out from the Derby. I don’t want to get carried away but he’s a pretty good horse, the best of our three in the race. He’s a year younger than Suger Ray but has a bit more ability. It’s hard to know where he’ll take us but he has the potential to be a classic colt.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.08pm
“He’s in the zone, he’s feeling really great, and he won’t go badly. But he’ll need luck from the draw.”
Race 9: Spiritual Bliss
9.04pm
“She’s racing better horses now and has done well to cop getting parked in some hard-run races. Leading is her go and she’ll get her chance from the inside draw.”
Race 10: Rivergirl Bella
9.36pm
“She has got a bit of speed but she can’t carry it very far. But if she gets the right trip, and gets out at the right time, not too soon, she’s always a chance.”
Race 10: Jessie Lincoln
9.36pm
“Harry blamed himself for the horse breaking at the start at Cambridge - he said he asked her to go a bit too quickly off the gate. She shouldn’t do it again. She’ll hold her own here, I’m sure.”
Race 10: Marylynes Boy
9.36pm
“He’s been training well but he’s only a little colt having his first start and from the second row I think Nathan will be happy to just see him get around safely.”
