Trojan Banner pictured with his new best pal Chaise Saunders, nephew of trainer Al Barnes’ partner Cassie.
Rejuvenated Trojan Banner still building his picket fence form line in Queensland
By Barry Lichter • 22 April 2019
Trainer Al Barnes is tipping Trojan Banner to extend his picket fence form line with a soft win at Albion Park on Tuesday.
Barnes lines up Lincoln Farms’ rejuvenated three-year-old in the fourth race at 5.12pm NZ time and has also decided to run Lincoln’s Girl in the 10th race at 8.41pm, rather than trialling her.
Trojan Banner steps up to c3 to c4 company after his electric c1 to c2 win 10 days ago, his fourth on the trot in Queensland, but Barnes says he can’t see that stopping him.
“It’s not an overly strong field. There are a few good ones around but we’ve been lucky so far and have been able to miss them all.’’
While drawn awkwardly in six, Barnes says Trojan Banner has enough respect now to slide forward and get the top.
And even if former Southland pacer Cool Scooter, who likes to go hard, doesn’t hand up, Barnes says Trojan Banner is capable of sitting parked and comfortably beating them.
“A few of the leading trainers here are worried about him now - they said you just don’t do what he did last start and win.
It’s the charge of the Light Brigade behind Trojan Banner but the Kiwi colt has his fourth straight win at Albion Park all sewn up.“He just left them at the top of the straight when he wasn’t entitled to. They went the first half in 57 and he was three and four wide attacking and he still maintained his sprint.’’
Clocking a mile rate of 1:54.5 for the 1660 metres, with sectionals he could never sustain back home, Trojan Banner cruised to a two metre win.
Best of all, Barnes says Trojan Banner had recovered and was ready to go again two days later.
“He’s rock hard now. I can’t fault him.’’
Barnes says it’s not that long now until the three derbies he’s aiming Trojan Banner at:
* June 22: A$21,110 Redcliffe Derby (2040m).
* July 13: A$31,400 South East Derby (2138m)
* July 20: A$100,660 Queensland Derby (2680m).
“I don’t think it will be a problem peaking him for those races. He’ll be easy to maintain, he’s so happy and relaxed and he doesn’t need a lot of hard work. We’ll just space his races a bit.’’
Barnes decided to race Lincoln’s Girl on Tuesday, rather than trial her, after the nominations looked weak.
“She might as well have a race where she has a chance to get a cheque.’’
Barnes will make two gear changes to hopefully prevent the filly from galloping out of the gate like last time.
“I’ll put hopple shorteners on her and she’s been training well with a Norton bit during the week.
“I think she’s just a bit bright within herself. In the warmer weather she’s just feeling too good.
“I’ll nominate her for Friday as well to take the edge off her but she may not get a start.’’
Lincoln’s Girl has to start from the outside of the second row in her next two races, a tough ask at Albion Park, but could not be completely discounted after producing some fast sectionals after her early misdemeanour last week.
Trojan Banner races at 5.12pm NZ time on Tuesday.
Lincoln’s Girl races at 8.41pm NZ time on Tuesday.
More news in Harness
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Nate having a last spin round on his wee mate Eric - and he’s in with a very good chance
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
