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.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.40pm
“She’s going as good as she can. She’s got a bit of speed but isn’t that strong. But she should get a nice trip here and be right in the frame. She’ll win one soon.”
Race 1: Jessie Lincoln
5.40pm
“She’s a big filly who has taken time to mature but she has plenty of ability. She’s a good pacer and I expect her to improve on her resuming run and go well.”
Race 1: Lincoln Dealer
5.40pm
“He’s a bit of a handful, too keen for his own good sometimes, so I’ll be happy to see him just get round and do most things right. He’s no superstar but he’s coming to it slowly but surely. We’re throwing him in the deep end here and he has a terrible draw but we have to start somewhere.”
Race 4: Lincoln Maree
7.04pm
“She’s as tough as old boots and tries like hell and you can’t ask for much more than that. She just lacks a bit of speed but has a good attitude. She usually finds one or two better than her but will make them work for it anyway.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.56pm
“He’ll be improved for the last run, has trialled and is working well, and has a better draw (the ace) this time. You just have to be a bit wary because he’s let us down a couple of times.”
Race 3: Angelic Copy
5.56pm
“She had a tie-up issue but seems much better now. It’s her first run for a while so she’ll definitely need the run. I’m just hoping she gets around all right and pulls up OK.”
Race 3: Colonel Lincoln
5.56pm
“He’s a very capable horse, if injury prone, and he’s been back in work for three or four months. You never say never but, realistically, he’s just starting off so you can’t expect him to be at his peak.”
Race 5: Sammy Lincoln
6.55pm
“I know I said it two starts back but if there’s such a thing as a certainty, he’s it. Even from seven on the gate, everything says he’s the one to beat. If he hadn’t gone a bit goofy up the home straight last time in the Sires’ Stakes Semi at Cambridge, he’d have easily run third. This is a huge drop in class.”
Race 7: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.58pm
“I expect he’ll be a bit sharper this time. He’s looking well and feeling good but I still think another run under his belt will be beneficial for him. He’s not one to leap out of the ground but he is capable of taking the race.”
