Trojan Banner is very sharp for his resumption at Albion Park on Tuesday. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Trojan Banner very sharp for Tuesday - Hayden flat holding him in his final hitout
By Barry Lichter • 29 July 2019
Trojan Banner will make a surprise early reappearance at Albion Park on Tuesday evening, trainer Al Barnes delighted with how sharp he is post the Queensland Derby.
And even though he has drawn poorly at four on the second row in the eighth race over 1660 metres, Barnes says he’ll still earn a cheque.
Barnes believes Trojan Banner will be even better on Tuesday than when he ran his excellent fifth in the derby, running faster closing sectionals than the unbeaten winner Self Assured.
“That run really topped him off,” says Barnes “He’s very sharp now. When Hayden worked him the other day, he bolted on him.”
Set two trips over 2400 metres, Trojan Banner took off over the last lap.
“That’s not like him. You normally have to get up him to make him go, so it’s really good to see him so sharp.
“He’s only got to run up to his latest effort to be very hard to beat.”
Trojan Banner bursts home wide out at the finish of the Queensland Derby.Barnes believes Trojan Banner could have placed in the derby had Hayden chosen to make his run through the middle, rather than heading wide turning for home.
“Luke (McCarthy, on Jesse Duke) kept coming out underneath him and with Trojan trying to duck in, Hayden had to keep stopping to steer him.”
Despite that Trojan Banner was only 3 metres behind the third placed dead-heaters Jesse Duke and Our Princess Tiffany at the post, sizzling home in 53.55 and 26.56.
“It will be a bit tricky from 11 so Hayden will just have to see how it pans out. Whether he’s wide early or late, I’ll leave it up to him.
“It’s a good even field - Withalotofluck has won 21 races - but he’s up to them.”
Safely through Tuesday, Barnes intends lining Trojan Banner up again on Sunday at his local Marburg meeting.
“It’s only 2km down the road and he can run in the Marburg Derby and Lincoln’s Girl can run in the Oaks.”
In other stable news, Northview Hustler began jogging again today after a week’s rest.
“It was three days after the Blacks A Fake before he started to buck and feel good again. He’ll tell us when he’s ready but I expect he’ll race again in about three weeks.”
Trojan Banner races at 7.12pm NZ time on Tuesday evening at Albion Park.
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.”
