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.
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No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 6: Captain Nemo
9.40pm NZ time
“I rate him a good top three chance. I’m really happy with the horse. It’s a decent drop in grade for him and I think maybe we roll the dice, go forward, and take our chances. As long as he doesn’t have to burn stupidly off the gate, if he can find the top, they’ll know he’s in the race.”
