Billy Lincoln free-wheeling in front for Hayden Barnes at Albion Park in Brisbane. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
They’ve got their eyes on our Billy Boy already and a hat-trick looms at Albion Park today
By Barry Lichter • 14 October 2019
Billy Lincoln is already on the radar of an overseas buyer after two easy wins since arriving in Queensland and the rapidly improving three-year-old looks well placed to make it a hat-trick at Albion Park this afternoon.
New York owner Keith Quinn is scouting for more horses from trainer Al Barnes after his first buy Vasari scored a dominant fresh-up win at Saratoga last week.
And if rookie Billy Lincoln continues to impress, he could also be headed Stateside.
Billy is expected to start a red hot favourite from gate two in the third race today, at 4.47pm NZ time, after pointless wins in his opening bouts.
First-up, over today’s distance of 2138 metres, he scored by almost 10 metres in a 1:58.7 mile rate, and last time he led almost throughout over 1660 metres to clock a 1:54.3 mile rate, never tested to get home by nearly eight metres.
“He should find the front again and give them something to chase,” says Barnes.
“He’s got enough speed to hold them and, from what he’s shown so far, he’ll only have to run up the straight in 28 to be very hard to beat.”
Barnes says the opposition is slightly stronger than what he faced in his last start annihilation. “He’ll have to step up a bit - the horse of Grant Dixon’s Saint Kilda Beach goes all right.
“But we’re getting him into a nice routine, he’s happy and eating well, and he’ll run very well.”
Billy Lincoln, still learning what racing is all about, surprised even Barnes with the turn of foot he showed last time, looping the field effortlessly a round from home.
“Imagine what he might do in six months when he’s learned what life’s about?” Barnes said.
Billy Lincoln races at 4.47pm NZ time at Albion Park today.
More news in Harness
Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
$101 winner Lincoln Wave has improved and is worth following in Friday’s derby lead-up
OK Sammy, lightning bolts aside, Ray’s relying on you to do things right this time
Lincoln Dealer has the genes but not the barrier draw for Cambridge debut
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Colonel Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s come through his two runs well and we can be bolder with him from a front row draw.”
Race 2: Sugar Ray Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s in good shape and you can’t fault what he’s doing. I don’t think the (seven) draw should make a lot of difference - he’s been parked in his last two and still got money. You wouldn’t take a trifecta without putting him in.”
Race 2: Leo Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s racing really well and just needs a bit of luck from the second row. He’s trained on well and should go well again. ”
Race 4: Rivergirl Bella
6.27pm
“She only has a little sprint but, if she doesn’t have to do too much, she can get home well.”
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.27pm
“She’ll win a race or two, and will get one soon as she’s honest, but she’s still very green. And to be fair to her, she hasn’t had a decent enough run where you can really judge her yet.”
Race 8: Lincoln Wave
8.38pm
“Based on the draws, Sammy looks a better chance than Lincoln Wave. Not many win from out there, especially in a Group I race. But I suppose he had a similar draw at Cambridge (six) and got lucky (squeezing into the trail when Nymbal broke) so you never know what can happen. It won’t be easy for him but it would be nice to see him get a good trip as I think he’ll handle the 2700 metres as well as the others.”
Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.38pm
“If he can hold up, that would be marvellous as if anything can give Jumal a fright, it’s him. I know he’s still a maiden but he’s better than most of them ability-wise. He’s a classy big bugger who is very fast and if he ends up on Jumal’s back he’d be dangerous. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the fray as he has such a lot of ability.”
Rac e 10: Prince Lincoln
9.37pm
“If the real Prince Lincoln turned up he’d be in the money, but you never know with him.”
