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.
More news in Harness
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Nate having a last spin round on his wee mate Eric - and he’s in with a very good chance
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
