Vasari blows them off the racetrack to credit Al and Hayden with a great double in Brisbane
By Barry Lichter • 24 May 2019
Vasari notched a great double for trainer Al Barnes, his driver son Hayden and Lincoln Farms when he blew his rivals off the racetrack with a 1:52 mile rate win at Albion Park tonight.
But while thrilled with the supersonic win, which saw the stable bookend the Brisbane card after taking the opening race with Lincoln’s Girl, Barnes was disappointed that his son was subjected to some snide comments from a few other drivers as he left the track on Vasari after his 17.6 metre all-the-way win.
“As soon as you start winning people get jealous and think you’re using something you shouldn’t but I can say on my kids’ lives we’re not. We just put the effort in - we work hard, all day every day.
“Anyone can train good horses and this success is very unusual for us. We’re blown away by it to be honest. But Lincoln Farms has given us some quality horses to train and they’re doing the job.’’
It’s the second time Barnes has trained a double for Lincoln Farms since Trojan Banner and Lincoln’s Girl first arrived at his Marburg stables in February. And now, with Northview Hustler, who won the Flashing Red on his Queensland debut last week, and Vasari, Barnes’ tally of winners for Lincoln Farms is 10.
Barnes says the only real change he’s made since Vasari arrived from Sydney in fantastic condition a few weeks ago is to change his shoes, with rubber bonded on to aluminium to reduce the concussion.
“Ray Green gave me the heads up that they used to work on his feet and knees because he pounds the ground so hard.
It’s Vasari first, the rest nowhere, as he flies to a 1:52 mile rate win at Albion Park.“This horse just loves to run. He has a ton of speed and a ton of heart.’’
Vasari certainly showed that tonight when Hayden Barnes drove him out to find the lead, going through the first two quarters of the 1660 metre race in 27.7 and 29.6.
And it was then that, in Barnes’ words, “he broke their hearts” with a 26.4 third quarter.
“Not many horses can run 26.4 and I reckon if Hayden had given him a flick on the bum he might have gone 25.8.
“Hayden knew he’d run out a strong mile and the pleasing thing was he didn’t use everything in the third quarter, he was still able to run home in 28.4. He’s tough and he just keeps going. I can see why he holds that Cambridge track record (in March, 2016 Vasari clocked 2:01.99 for 1700 metres, a mark which still stands).’’
Barnes says while class records aren’t listed in Brisbane he can’t recall a c3 horse going as fast as 1:52. By comparison the allcomers’ record is held by former champion I’m Themightyquinn at 1:50.4.
Barnes says he will just continue to take Vasari through his grades. “He’s too lowly assessed to get into decent races. But there are plenty of options for him as a class four horse.’’
He might even look at a 1700 metre race at Redcliffe next Friday when, by using a junior, he can get into a c3 event.
More news in Harness
The dream’s alive but Nate tells why he’ll wait for ‘Harry’ before racing Eric again
Ray gives reformed Rascal his ‘most likely to succeed’ report from the pole on Friday night
Ray doesn’t pull any punches about Sugar Ray but punters weigh in nonetheless
Partners and pedigree made Johnny Lincoln’s win special - but where was everyone?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
