Perfect drive sees Vasari destroy his Redcliffe rivals in near record time
By Barry Lichter • 24 July 2019
Trainer Al Barnes’ confidence in Vasari proved well placed when he went within three tenths of a second of the track record when winning at Redcliffe tonight.
Vasari, who started at even money on the New Zealand tote and $2.60 in Australia, ran away to a 12.6 metre win and clocked a mile rate of 1:55.2 for the 1780 metres, just outside the 2016 record held by 22-race winner Tightrope.
And the way he jogged to the line suggested he had plenty left, Barnes saying “he could have gone another half lap at the same speed.”
And that, says the in-form Marburg trainer, is the key to the horse who is tougher than he is fast.
“It was the right sort of race for him, where he could get up outside the leader. He’s a bit one-paced and loves to roll and do his own thing.
Vasari has a commanding lead of 12.6 metres over Son Of Mara and Invite Only at Redcliffe tonight.“He doesn’t like being held up and asked to sprint. He doesn’t have blistering speed, he can’t pull out and run you a 26 quarter like Northview Hustler. But he can run even sectionals and he’ll wind up and keep coming.”
Barnes’ son Hayden drove the horse perfectly to his strengths tonight, letting him find his feet early and slot into the one-one.
But he made the race winning move when he took off round them soon afterwards to find the death seat at the bell, from where he was able to dictate the tempo.
And with quarters of 28.9, 29.5, 28.7 and 29, it suited Vasari to a tee as he headed the leader Stevie Dee at the 400 and shot clear turning in, easily holding his big lead to the line.
“Hayden was very happy and said he felt strong, like he wanted to do it.
“He’s been bright and feeling good all week and that’s because we’ve been driving him conservatively in his last two or three races, and he’s been running on with not much luck and still had some petrol in the tank.
“At Albion Park, where they run 1:51 or 1:52, you need things to go your way. But here at Redcliffe, where they’re running only 1:55 he can sit out and show his authority.
“He’s better than a Redcliffe horse. But we should be able to find another race here in a similar grade for him.
“Running 1:55.2 is a good time round here. He won well tonight.”
More news in Harness
Rivergirl Bella finally delivers - and Phil kicks himself for not being there or having a punt
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
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.”
