Lincoln’s Girl just pulled too hard last time for driver Hayden Barnes.
Tuesday looks pretty straightforward for Lincoln’s Girl - she should lead and win
By Barry Lichter • 13 May 2019
Drawn to lead and back to the sprint trip, Lincoln’s Girl looks the best of good things at Albion Park on Tuesday.
Lincoln Farms’ filly goes round in the eighth race at 6.17pm NZ time, just four days after only battling into fourth at Albion Park.
But there’s a huge difference this time - instead of drawing the second line over 2138 metres, which was always going to be a test for her, she draws three on the front over 1660 metres, the distance at which she won two starts back in 1:55.5.
And that, says trainer Al Barnes, should be enough to see the filly score a soft win.
“It looks pretty straightforward for her. She’ll roll out and just has to hold out the four horse, Ark Me, who has some speed, and I’m confident she should win. She’s got a bit of class on those.’’
Neither of the two horses drawn inside Lincoln’s Girl have the ability to hold her out - Mister Diamond won his maiden last week in a pedestrian 2:00.1 mile rate, and Dapper Bessie, while a three-race winner, isn’t going well enough.
While only fourth last Friday night, Lincoln’s Girl didn’t go badly - she just pulled too hard over the extra distance.
Barnes: “She was too fierce and just didn’t settle and, even when she got a trail up three wide, she was climbing over heels and Hayden had to go (four wide) 550 metres out, which was too early.
“So it’s back to the drawing board. We’ll just keep racing her so she can learn with more experience.
“But we’ll have to put up with a run like that every now and then.’’
Northview Hustler has been very strong in his work since arriving in Brisbane.Hustler to trial
Barnes has also decided to trial Northview Hustler tomorrow, rather than pitch him straight into a tough race on Saturday night.
Barnes wants to see how Lincoln Farms’ flagship horse goes, given he has been very strong in his track work since arriving.
“That’s not like him apparently. It may be the new surrounds or the different feed, but I’d just like to see how he gets on and gauge his fitness level.
“It will also give him a bit of a look round Albion Park. So long as he trials well enough he’ll still race on Saturday night.’’
Hustler is being aimed at the two big races at Queensland’s winter carnival, the A$50,000 Sunshine Sprint on July 13 and the $A200,000 The Blacks A Fake Championship (2680m) on July 20.
Lincoln’s Girl races at 6.17pm NZ time.
More news in Harness
Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
