Few tracks turn as much as Redcliffe raceway, near Moreton Bay in Queensland.
Tricky Redcliffe triangle may not be enough to stop Lincoln’s Girl and Vasari on Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 6 June 2019
In-form pacers Lincoln’s Girl and Vasari tackle the tricky Redcliffe circuit on Friday night, with trainer Al Barnes reasonably confident both will handle it well.
The track, 30 minutes from downtown Brisbane, is an unusual 833 metre triangle, with a short 170 metre home straight, a turning setup which doesn’t suit some horses.
But if history is anything to go by Lincoln’s Girl, drawn the pole, should be right in the hunt, while Vasari, drawn the outside of the second line, will have to work overtime to win.
In the last 12 months 19% of races have been won by the pole runner, while only 11% have scored from wide on the second line.
Inside barrier draws have a big advantage at Redcliffe.Lincoln’s Girl, impressive winner of her last two starts over 1660 metres at Albion Park, steps up to the longer trip of 2040 metres as Barnes tests her ability to run the upcoming Oaks distances.
“She’ll get 2000 metres round there no trouble, it’s more a question of how she handles the track. She’s not a bad pacer so I don’t expect too much of a problem.
“But from the 2040 metre start it’s only 50 metres to the first turn and that can be hairy at pace.
“She’s not brilliant out of the arm - you’ve got to keep her balanced - so I would rather have drawn the middle from where she could balance up and go forward at her leisure. From one you’ve got to hold them out.
“The two horse, Weasel, gets out OK so it could be a little tricky.’’
Barnes is delighted with the way Lincoln’s Girl has come through her last two wins which she has cut out in excellent mile rates of 1:54.2 and 1:53.3.
Vasari has been going even faster, clocking a sensational all-the-way 1:52 and a smidgeon over 1:51.5 when second last time.
“I wasn’t disappointed at all in his last start. He just couldn’t muster fast enough from one out of the gate and had to work very hard to get round to the lead.
“He doesn’t possess brilliant gate speed and that will cost him races.
“But it’s a bit of a drop in grade at Redcliffe and he’s the best horse in the race. He’ll be competitive and should run top three.’’
Barnes is confident Vasari will pace around Redcliffe with no dramas.
“The four horse, Sache Girl, gets out OK and Hayden might be able to follow her out.
“He’s got respect now and if he comes charging they’ll let him go. He’s a big, free-running horse who’s happiest when let slide.’’
Vasari races at 6.50pm NZ time on Friday.
Lincoln’s Girl races at 9.50pm NZ time on Friday.
More news in Harness
This is it, Sammy, the draw’s a bit of a pain but you can eat these non-winners for breakfast
Prince Lincoln finally shows what he’s made of - and, wow, was that a blazing demolition!
Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.14pm
“She tries hard and is getting stronger. She just needs a trip to be right there.”
Race 3: Copy N Paste
6.16pm
“Maurice said he got a bit tired on debut but I didn’t expect a lot. Four months ago you’d have wondered if he’d ever qualify. He’ll improve on that - he’s improving all the time - but from seven he’ll have to go back and come into it late.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.14pm
“She’s up in grade but is a chance again if she can get a good run up the front of the field. It was a good effort last time to break 2:43.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.49pm
“She’s trained on OK and, while no champion, has to be a chance down in grade against the amateur horses.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.57pm
“I can’t see her beating Sammy Lincoln but with a good draw at last you’ll see a better performance. She’s capable of finishing in the first three.”
Race 4: Spirit Of God
6.57pm
“She bolted in at the workouts, leading out from a wide gate and getting home in 27.9. She’s a great driving little mare and has good manners. I could see her winning one very soon.”
Race 4: Sammy Lincoln
6.57pm
“I know we’ve said it before but he has been unlucky a few times and, all things being fair and square, it’s hard to see him beaten. The draw is awkward but everything points to him winning. There are no derby horses in there and he went a great race in the Northern Derby last start.”
Race 4: Marylynes Boy
6.57pm
“He’s a tidy little horse. I can’t see him winning from the (second row) draw but he’s like Spirit Of God, he’s not far away from winning one.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.25pm
“He’s been a late developer. You can see it in his growth, his withers have finally popped up, and he’ll get better as time goes on. He’s no champion but he should be a handy horse through winter. He’s capable of stepping away fairly well.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.25pm
“It’s a toss-up between the two of them. Sugar Ray is a bit stronger perhaps but Leo is very good from a stand. You can forget that last run in the Messenger - he was only in there to help get the race off the ground.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.25pm
“He finally showed us what he’s got last week. Inside second row draws can be awkward - you’re at the mercy of the others - but he could end up with a good trail behind the leader.”
