Vasari and driver Hayden Barnes enjoying a moment in the sun before training at Al Barnes’ Marburg stable.
Wakey, wakey Vasari! The hood’s back on and he should be in business on Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 8 May 2019
Vasari, hood reattached, will be much sharper for his second run in Queensland on Friday night.
And, drawn three in the opening race at 8.23pm NZ time, trainer Al Barnes is hoping he can cross to the lead and be hard to run down.
Vasari didn’t wear a hood in his first race since transferring north from Sydney last week but while it had the desired effect of quietening him down, it left him completely disinterested.
“We noticed he was pulling quite hard in Sydney and thought he’d go better if we could get him more settled,’’ says Barnes.
“But without the hood he didn’t want to go at all, he’s very lazy.’’
Vasari, pulled back from his extreme outside draw, consequently lost interest and was being tapped up by driver Hayden Barnes to even stay within three lengths of the second last horse a round from home.
Vasari actually paced 57.66 for his last 800 metres, the fastest in the race and on the entire day, making up 23.5 metres on the leaders, but he still finished only seventh, 13 metres from the winner.
“It’s trial and error with him but the hood will sharpen him up again and hopefully he can lead and run a race.’’
Vasari, winner of 12 races, has always been at his best in front, or on the speed, when he is hard to get past.
And Barnes says the way the horse has felt in work this week, when he has been particularly bright, augurs well for Friday.
Vasari made up a huge amount of ground last week in the fastest last 800 metres of the day.
Girl on the second row
Lincoln’s Girl, who found the lead in her winning run last Friday, won’t be doing that this week drawn three on the second row in the second race at 8.53pm NZ time.
But Barnes says that’s a good thing.
“We don’t want to keep sending her forward all the time. We want to keep her settled and educate her.
Lincoln’s Girl is too good for her rivals at Albion Park last week, leading most of the way over 1660 metres.“Her goal is the Queensland Oaks (on July 13) when her best chance will be to come with one run.’’
Barnes says Friday’s race will be a good test for Lincoln’s Girl, her first at 2138 metres.
“She settled well out of the gate last week before Hayden rolled forward so hopefully she’ll do so again.’’
Barnes says since he fitted a more severe bit on Lincoln’s Girl, the filly has been a lot quieter in her trackwork and much more controllable in her races.
“It’s an even field with no real standouts but I think she’ll start reasonably short anyway.
“She’s super, I can’t fault her.’’
More news in Harness
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
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
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.”
