Trojan Banner puts a space into his rivals last start at Albion Park.
Trojan Banner poised to add to picket fence form line on Friday
By Barry Lichter • 3 April 2019
From the ace draw, Trojan Banner will touch a very short price on Friday to make it a hat-trick of wins at Albion Park in Brisbane.
But, ironically, the draw is the only thing stopping trainer Al Barnes from declaring him past the post.
When Barnes saw the mediocre line-up against Trojan Banner on Friday he knew he’d made the right decision to scratch the horse from Tuesday even though the mobile gate issue had been resolved in time.
That’s because there’s nothing in Friday’s field capable of beating the Lincoln Farms’ pacer - providing he begins swiftly.
“There are a couple in there who could try to test him early and there’s a little chance he could be crossed,’’ says Barnes. “The two horse (Torque Feel Good) likes to lead.
“I know in New Zealand he wasn’t the cleanest out of the gate, he got a bit rough, but he seems to be pacing better here and he should have enough speed to hold them.’’
Al Barnes … Trojan Banner will have an easy passage through the grades.Barnes says the horse will be a little fresh after missing Tuesday’s run.
“That won’t hurt him but I believe he’s better racing consistently every week.’’
Barnes was able to scratch Trojan Banner from Tuesday’s meeting at Albion Park without penalty because it was not known whether the mobile would be passed fit to use in time.
Mobile starts in the state were suspended after a bad accident at Redcliffe when four members of the Whittaker family, watching in a spectators’ area, were hurt after being struck by the arms of the gate which failed to retract.
As it turned out the mobile was used on Tuesday and the winner of the race Trojan Banner was to have contested, Smart As Camm Be, clocked a slick 2:34 for the 2138 metres.
It was the filly’s ninth win from only 11 starts but Barnes is adamant Trojan Banner can run the sectionals she clocked - a 1:55.9 mile rate and closing half of 56.5.
But having to sit outside the filly, or coming from the back, would have been much harder.
Barnes says he’s quite happy to postpone meeting Smart As Camm Be, and a few other higher rated three-year-olds, until Trojan Banner has progressed further through the grades.
“With his speed and stamina, he’ll have an easy passage through.’’
Lincoln’s Girl … kicking off on Friday but will need the run. PHOTO: Royden Williams.Barnes will give Lincoln Farms’ other import Lincoln’s Girl her first race on Friday’s card, where she has drawn three in the third race over 1660 metres.
“I’m going into it a bit blind without a trial and, while she’ll need the run, and it’s not a bad field, she’ll be competitive.
“She’s an each way chance and won’t be far away.’’
Lincoln’s Girl won two of her nine starts in New Zealand, including a 1:56.7 mile at Alexandra Park, but spoiled her chances repeatedly by over-racing.
Barnes labels former Lincoln Farms’ pacer Lincoln Road a winner in the first race on Saturday night at 8.14pm NZ time.
“Freshened up, drawn four over a mile, they won’t beat him.’’
Lincoln Road has won seven races for Barnes since being bought last September.
Trojan Banner races at 3.42pm NZ time.
Lincoln’s Girl runs at 4.52pm NZ time.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Tyson
6.59pm
“He was tough again in winning last week. He’s trained on well, is in good shape, and should be right in it.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.59pm
“He’s finally getting his act together - he’s gone three good races in a row - and seemingly turned the corner. We’ve had a lot of (vet) work done on him, his feet in particular, and it’s paid off. There’s not much between him and Tyson.”
Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.23pm
“She’ll need everything to go her way from the draw. But she’s got a bit of speed. She’s getting there. She wasn’t very strong before and wasn’t tracking too well, but she’s driving right now.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.23pm
“She’s had a few issues, mostly mental ones, and is still a bit of a handful. It wasn’t very pretty last week but we’re slowly getting her under control. The outside draw might actually help her.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.23pm
“She needs only a half decent trip to feature. She got held up a little bit in the straight at a crucial time last week and that was that.”
Race 6: Prince Lincoln
7.49pm
“He’s drawn the best of ours in three. He got cheated for a run last week. It’s hard to know where he’d have finished without that.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.49pm
“Ferg reckoned if he’d been able to hold up in the trail last week he would have won. He was very bullish about how he’d gone. The draw’s no help but he can do a bit of work. He’s an honest little guy who saves his best for when the money’s up on racenight.”
Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
7.49pm
“He got a bit keen last week but he should be a lot better this time. He’s still learning and he’s a slow learner. When he does things correctly he’s a pretty nice horse. Hopefully he can get a suck into it from the second row draw.”
