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
Emotional night at the Park as Sammy Lincoln steps up for John and his sister Maree
Rivergirl Bella finally delivers - and Phil kicks himself for not being there or having a punt
This is it, Sammy, the draw’s a bit of a pain but you can eat these non-winners for breakfast
Prince Lincoln finally shows what he’s made of - and, wow, was that a blazing demolition!
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.14pm
“She tries hard and is getting stronger. She just needs a trip to be right there.”
Race 3: Copy N Paste
6.16pm
“Maurice said he got a bit tired on debut but I didn’t expect a lot. Four months ago you’d have wondered if he’d ever qualify. He’ll improve on that - he’s improving all the time - but from seven he’ll have to go back and come into it late.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.14pm
Update: Scratched
“She’s up in grade but is a chance again if she can get a good run up the front of the field. It was a good effort last time to break 2:43.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.49pm
“She’s trained on OK and, while no champion, has to be a chance down in grade against the amateur horses.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.57pm
“I can’t see her beating Sammy Lincoln but with a good draw at last you’ll see a better performance. She’s capable of finishing in the first three.”
Race 4: Spirit Of God
6.57pm
“She bolted in at the workouts, leading out from a wide gate and getting home in 27.9. She’s a great driving little mare and has good manners. I could see her winning one very soon.”
Race 4: Sammy Lincoln
6.57pm
“I know we’ve said it before but he has been unlucky a few times and, all things being fair and square, it’s hard to see him beaten. The draw is awkward but everything points to him winning. There are no derby horses in there and he went a great race in the Northern Derby last start.”
Race 4: Marylynes Boy
6.57pm
“He’s a tidy little horse. I can’t see him winning from the (second row) draw but he’s like Spirit Of God, he’s not far away from winning one.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.25pm
“He’s been a late developer. You can see it in his growth, his withers have finally popped up, and he’ll get better as time goes on. He’s no champion but he should be a handy horse through winter. He’s capable of stepping away fairly well.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.25pm
“It’s a toss-up between the two of them. Sugar Ray is a bit stronger perhaps but Leo is very good from a stand. You can forget that last run in the Messenger - he was only in there to help get the race off the ground.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.25pm
“He finally showed us what he’s got last week. Inside second row draws can be awkward - you’re at the mercy of the others - but he could end up with a good trail behind the leader.”
