Trojan Banner staves off the last closing Air Time to remain unbeaten in seven Queensland starts.
Trojan makes it seven from seven but Al says don’t expect too much now - just enjoy it
By Barry Lichter • 7 July 2019
Even though Lincoln Farms’ little warrior Trojan Banner made it seven wins straight in Brisbane last night, trainer Al Barnes is realistic about the task he faces in the upcoming grand final.
Driven perfectly by Barnes’ son Hayden, the speedy black was parked early before enjoying the one-one trail and easily sprinting to the lead round the home turn. (NB: Video has no sound)
But watching his winning margin cut back to a metre at the line by the late charging second favourite Air Time, hit home to the trainer that if Trojan Banner is to be competitive in next week’s South East Derby and the following week’s Queensland Derby he’s going to have to adopt chasing tactics.
And half an hour later his suspicions were confirmed when the All Stars’ unbeaten three-year-old Self Assured dealt out a hiding to his older rivals in the Group III J C McMullen, downing the battle hardened Alta Orlando by nearly three metres.
Barnes had been pretty happy with Trojan’s sectional times for his 2138 metres, when he clocked a mile rate of 1:55.8, home in 56.6 and 28.5.
But seeing Self Assured record 1:54.5 and shrug off the slushy conditions with a 55 last half and 27.7 quarter put things into perspective.
“We may not beat Purdon’s ones (Self Assured and Jesse Duke) but Trojan and Make Way will both do a good job for Lincoln Farms.
Al Barnes … we just have to enjoy having the horse in the big races.“Anthony and Sonya have Make Way going great but with Trojan I think we might have to come from behind. He drove really well last night but even with the pull down blinds on Hayden said he did pull up a little bit in the straight.
“He’s better chasing than being in front and he hasn’t got enough gate speed to lead anyway. We’re going to have to chase to be competitive.
“I jut hope the favourite doesn’t get his own way in front and dawdle.’’
Barnes says he’s so proud of all the horses he’s been entrusted with by Lincoln Farms but none more so than Trojan Banner.
“When they sent him over no-one expected him to win seven from seven. He’s done a great job and he’ll be going into the big ones in great order.
“But I think for the next two weeks we just have to enjoy having the horse in the big races and lower our expectations a bit.
“But he’ll keep toughing it out and won’t shirk the task.”
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
4.52pm
“She did a good job last week at Auckland. Throwing her in the deep end seems to have toughened her up a bit. She’s getting stronger all the time. This is a big drop in class and she’s a chance from a better gate (three).”
Race 2: Prince Lincoln
5.20pm
“If the real Prince turned up he’d absolutely be hard to beat. If he leads, as he should do from two, he’s a different horse.”
Race 3: Major Copy
5.54pm
“Maurice just nursed him around on debut. He was stepping over tyre marks on the track so he didn’t want to launch him into the open too soon. We’ll put a shadow roll on him this time to stop that and I can see him going a lot better from the inside draw.”
Race 3: Jessie Lincoln
5.54pm
“I’m not saying she can’t win but it will be hard for Fergie to find a good trip from the draw. She’ll need a lot of luck but she can be right in it if things go her way as she’s training well.”
Race 5: Lincoln Dealer
6.49pm
“He’s been a slow developing horse and you can’t drive him pretty, he won’t let you, as he’s a bit of a hot head. Maurice will launch him and see where he ends up.”
Race 5: Spirit Of God
6.49pm
“She got tired late last time and started hanging a bit (hitting a marker) but I thought she went OK. She did a bit early (from a wide draw) and was still there at the finish so she’s going to win a race. You never know with second line draws but it’s usually a decent impairment.”
Race 7: Lincoln Maree
7.40pm
“She never runs a bad race. She has a big motor for a little filly and should be right in the fray.”
Race 7: Angelic Copy
7.40pm
“Maurice said she foundered a bit when they took off, and got three or four lengths behind, but she didn’t lose any more ground after that and held her place. So the run wasn’t as bad as it looked and she’ll be improved.”
Race 8: Lincoln Wave
8.14pm
“It was a non-event last time (from a stand) and he’s a good horse who will be vying for the lead from five and deserves to be favourite.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.14pm
“Peter (Ferguson) said he didn’t feel as sharp last week as in the past so I’ve given him a little freshen-up with a light week and he should go better.”
