Trojan Banner has a clear two metre advantage over a wall of horses in his fourth straight win at Albion Park today.
Trojan supersonic in fourth straight win and Al declares: ‘He’s a lot better than I thought’
By Barry Lichter • 12 April 2019
Trojan Banner exceeded all trainer Al Barnes’ expectations with his supersonic win at Albion Park today.
It wasn’t just that the Lincoln Farms three-year-old notched his fourth straight win. It was the way he did it that now has Barnes believing he has a real live chance for the Queensland Derby.
“He’s a lot better than I thought he was. I always said he’d be a nice horse here and could run in the derbies but on that effort today he’ll be a real live chance in them.
“You wouldn’t have thought you could have driven him like that and won. On any normal horse you’d say it was a terrible drive but he’s just got so much heart.’’
Barnes said his driver son Hayden came back with a big smile and was pretty happy with himself.
“We had to set him a task today to find out what his bottom is, and we didn’t find it.’’
Allowed to flop out of the gate to second last from his wide second row draw, Barnes pushed the button on Trojan Banner after only 400 metres.
Ripping round the field, and forced four wide down the straight to get round Brian Who, he landed alongside the leader with a lap to run.
With the first quarter run in a slick 28, you would have expected the petrol gauge to be dropping.
“But Hayden said he felt super down the back when he put his head in front. He was really travelling and the leader was struggling.’’
Al Barnes … “I always said he’d be a nice horse here but he’s a lot better than I thought.”Incredibly, while Trojan Banner shot five metres clear turning for home, Barnes said the horse again started to wait for his rivals.
“It’s hard to say he had a bit of a cheat when he’s won so well, but he did knock off again.’’
Barnes had intended fitting the horse with pull down blinds but when it looked like he’d be doing a lot of chasing from the draw he left them off today.
“We honestly didn’t know how the race would pan out. We can keep the blinds up our sleeve now for when he really needs them.’’
Despite going easy on this rivals, Trojan Banner scored by two metres in a mile rate of 1:54.5, with closing sectionals of 57.6 and 29.7. The total time for the 1660 metres was a fast 1:58.1.
“He’s had soft wins until now but that run today will earn him so much respect,’’ Barnes said.
“It looks like we’ll have some pretty decent form going into the derby but we’ll have to put him away soon for a couple of weeks.’’
It was important to have the horse in the best condition for the A$75,000 Queensland Derby on July 20.
“It’s hard to put the horse out when he’s going so well, especially when he’s thriving, but we either have to space his races or give him a couple of weeks off.’’
Barnes says at this stage Trojan Banner could race again next Friday but he would wait to see how he pulled up.
Barnes was rapt for Trojan Banner’s big group of New Zealand owners that he could bag four wins on end since arriving in Queensland.
The A$3394 stake today took his earnings in four starts to A$13,576 and the Marburg trainer says there should be plenty more to come.
“Winning races certainly will be giving him confidence. I’m not sure why he’s going better than in New Zealand. It’s a different style of racing here but he’s also pacing a little better I think. He was feeling a few niggles.’’
Trojan Banner’s career stats now stand at seven wins from 21 starts for stakes of $43,582.
How the photo finish camera captured today’s finish.
More news in Harness
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34 more meetings in the north next season as Auckland reclaims Friday nights
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Argyle out of action, injured, and barrier draw will take Nemo out of play too on Saturday
Our runners this week
Saturday night at Albion Park
Captain Nemo.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
