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Revealed: It’s Shartin’s owner who’s chasing our little warrior Trojan Banner

The owner of the world’s hottest pacer Shartin is chasing Trojan Banner who was untouched to win his trial at Albion Park tonight.

Test driven by Emmett Brosnan with a view to buying Lincoln Farms’ colt, Trojan Banner led throughout the 1660 metre heat, ripping off a final 800 metres in 54.3 to beat Bettor Vision by 4.6 metres.

And afterwards Brosnan, son of veteran trainer Richard Brosnan, told trainer Al Barnes “he loved the horse” and would be advising American owner Richard Poillucci to buy him.

Shartin … the hottest pacer in the United States.Shartin … the hottest pacer in the United States.Only last weekend Poillucci enjoyed the thrill of a lifetime when his former Kiwi pacer Shartin ran the fastest mile ever by a mare, clocking 1:46.4 in winning the Lady Liberty Final at the Meadowlands.

Lincoln Farms and its partners in the colt are still considering Poillucci’s offer, but Trojan Banner will be vetted for sale on Thursday morning.

The colt has been in scintillating form since arriving in Queensland earlier this year, winning seven races on end and clocking the fastest closing sectionals when fifth in Self Assured’s Queensland Derby.

He cruised it tonight, with a very slow second quarter of 33.5, asked only to run home his last 800, with his overall mile rate a sedate 1:57.2.

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Nathan Delany

Nathan’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 3: The Night Fox
6.20pm

“Harry said he’d have won for fun last time if he’d gone straight. We’ve put a pole on him, and he’s been a lot better, but from the inside of the second row on Friday night, over only 1700 metres, he’ll be looking for a bit of luck. if he gets half a run, he’ll be a good chance as he’s been training really well.”

Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.19pm

“He needed the run first-up and will need a couple more. He’s a bit high up in the grades and needs to drop a few points and get his fitness up.”

Race 7: Johnny Lincoln
8.09pm

“We’ll tell Fergie to go out again and see where he ends up. He’s a tough little horse and it won’t hurt him to have a look. I know it’s a tough race but we’re very happy with him and he’s an each-way chance and our best of the night.”

Dan Costello Race Photography