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.”
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.”
