Sir Tiger and Billy Lincoln give Al great shot at opening double at Albion Park on Friday
By Barry Lichter • 23 October 2019
Both Sir Tiger and Billy Lincoln look winners on paper at Albion Park on Friday but trainer Al Barnes says they’ll still have to earn it.
Both horses were beaten as hot favourites at their last starts, Sir Tiger dead unlucky when unable to find a gap in the run home and Billy Lincoln going under by a head at the unbackable odds of $1.08.
Sir Tiger opens the batting on Friday in the first race, which Barnes says looks a weaker field than the one he beat at his Queensland debut.
Sir Tiger, arrowed, is blocked and full of running at the finish.And this time, while still on the second row, Sir Tiger is at least in the running line, compared with his last start tragedy when, from the inside of the second row, driver Hayden Barnes never had the opportunity to work into the clear and went to the line hard held in fifth place.
“Hayden said he was travelling easily but he’d have had to knock one over to get out so there was no point in that.
“He’s going to be a $1.20 shot but it’s not just a question of going out and winning. He should win but it’s an even-looking race and he’ll have to earn it.”
Barnes says it helps that people know his New Zealand horses have a bit of quality so they give them respect.
“When Hayden goes round and asserts his authority nine times out of 10 they’d rather sit on his back then try to hold him out.”
Billy Lincoln goes down by a head to Saint Kilda Beach.Barnes says he’ll leave it up to Hayden to decide how best to drive Billy Lincoln in the second race but over only 1660 metres letting him settle early from the second row, then sending him, would make him hard to beat.
“But he may elect to drive him as a sit-sprinter and see what he can do.”
In each of his three runs in Brisbane, Barnes has taken Billy Lincoln to the front and, even though collared last time, he still improved on his previous time, clocking his third and fourth quarters in 28 flat.
“I was a bit disappointed at first, I thought Hayden should have got on his bike and kicked when his only rival (Saint Kilda Beach) was coming four wide. But he did run a PB and he’s never gone quicker than 56 for his last half before so maybe that’s as good as he can go for now. We know he’s a work in progress.”
Barnes says it will be interesting to see what Billy can do if Hayden chooses to follow his rivals through from two on the second line, drive him in behind, and mount a late challenge.
“He should go close either way but he’s six months away from being a racehorse.”
Sir Tiger races at 3.29pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday.
Billy Lincoln races at 4.04pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday.
More news in Harness
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Ray gives reformed Rascal his ‘most likely to succeed’ report from the pole on Friday night
Ray doesn’t pull any punches about Sugar Ray but punters weigh in nonetheless
Partners and pedigree made Johnny Lincoln’s win special - but where was everyone?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
