Trojan Banner (David Butcher) goes all the way at Cambridge last week. PHOTO: FokusPhotography.
Trojan Banner and Lincoln’s Girl to get passports stamped
By Barry Lichter • 27 January 2019
Trojan Banner signed off on his New Zealand career when winning at Cambridge last Thursday.
The colt, along with stablemate Lincoln’s Girl, will fly to Australia next week to join the Queensland stable of Alistair Barnes.
And if Barnes is right, both horses should do extremely well there, says Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green.
“Trojan Banner is at the stage where he’s going to struggle here,’’ says Green. “He’s not quite good enough for Auckland but he’s too good for Cambridge. And one more win and he’ll be racing against horses like Recco Lover.’’
Trojan Banner won three of his 18 starts here, earning $30,000, predominantly against very tough opposition.
His all-the-way win at Cambridge last week was his first for more than eight months but against easier company in Queensland Barnes expects him to win them in a row.
Lincoln’s Girl …won two of her nine starts here. PHOTO: Royden Williams.Lincoln’s Girl, who excels over shorter trips, won two of her nine starts, taking a mile mark of 1:56.7 at Auckland in only her third start as a two-year-old.
With a shortage of quality fillies in Queensland Barnes is also excited about her earning potential, says Green.
The pair will remain in the ownership of Lincoln Farms and its partnerships.
Barnes, helped by his partner Cassie Saunders and son Hayden, trains at Marburg, a small town 60km west of Brisbane.
He already trains former Lincoln Farms pacers Lincoln Road, who has won his last five on end, and Blue Glory.
Barnes describes Sir Lincoln four-year-old Lincoln Road as “the complete package”.
“He is so versatile - he’s led, parked out and come from behind - and this combined with his unbelievable will to win makes him a bit special,” he said.
“We’re hoping he can reach open class and that we’ll have plenty of fun along the way.”
More news in Harness
$101 monster upset! - Lincoln Wave makes the most of lucky break and fills plenty of pockets
Omaha Lincoln long in the odds but he has enough toe to say he won’t be entirely beached
Watch Sammy Lincoln charge home and you’ll want to be on at Cambridge on Thursday night
Lincoln Wave scorches in, still on target for richer races and Sammy’s making progress too
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Omaha Lincoln
4.49pm
“He’s never been to Cambridge, and it’s his first time off the place, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him go well - he’s certainly got enough speed to do the business. It’s guesswork trying to assess him against the others but I think he’ll do everything right so he’s a chance.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
6.51pm
“She is a bit one-dimensional - she’ll take charge of proceedings when the gate leaves. She could get parked but if she got a cheque I’d be happy.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.22pm
“He was taking ground off the winner last week and I don’t think the step up to 2700 will make much difference, he’s race fit now. He’ll do what he can do, he’s no champion, but he’s got the draw, he steps well and he won’t be far away.”
Race 7: Lincoln Wave
7.52pm
“The draw is awkward over the sprint distance at Cambridge but he’s absolutely capable of being right in the fray if he happened to get a good trip - he’s an improver every time he goes to the races. Not many of the others have run 1:54.”
Race 7: Sammy Lincoln
7.52pm
“I thought he did well to finish third last week after being parked out. The draw makes it very hard but he’s got real speed and if he dropped into it late, it wouldn’t surprise me if he got home really well.”
Race 10: Spiritual Bliss
9.24pm
“They’ll know they’ve been to the races if she gets any kind of trip. She was parked the whole way last time in 1:52 and wasn’t far off them. I don’t really want to see her parked again but you’d think Tytate would duck for cover knowing we’d say in front. She’s tough and reliable - she hasn’t gone a bad race since we’ve had her - and you know she’ll put herself in the race.”
Race 10: Ultimate Cullect
9.24pm
“The outside is not a good draw for her but, if they go hard, it will suit her.”
