Whoosh! Trojan Banner scorches past trial rivals like a ready-made winner
By Barry Lichter • 8 March 2019
Trojan Banner will make his Queensland debut on Tuesday week after thrilling his new trainer and driver in Friday’s trial at Albion Park.
Lincoln Farms’ three-year-old came from the tail of the field in the home straight and roared past his rivals, showing trainer Al Barnes even more speed than he thought he had.
“I didn’t think he could sprint that sharply,’’ said Barnes after Trojan Banner clocked a 1:57 mile rate in winning the 1660 metre trial by 2.3 metres, going away.
In the trail early for Barnes’ son Hayden, Trojan Banner ended up three back and in a hopeless possie turning for home.
Trainer Al Barnes … Trojan Banner has speed and stamina.“Hayden was a bit worried he wasn’t going to get a crack at them so he grabbed hold, went back and hooked out wide.
“He was rapt afterwards about how easily he did it.’’
Barnes said his other son Brendan was quick to run over and say: ‘I hope Hayden doesn’t want to drive that one’.
“But Hayden has first choice and he was pretty excited about the horse.
“He did it comfortably and could quite easily have gone a 1:54 or 1:55 mile.
“He steered well, hung in a little bit - but that could be because he’s only 90 percent fit - and handled the track well.
“That will tighten him up nicely and he can run on Tuesday week in a three-year-old race.
“Judging by that effort today he might have just as much speed as stamina.’’
Trojan Banner races past Much Bettor in Friday’s trial.Trojan Banner had no trouble running past Much Bettor, who has won four of his 11 starts, but his steady sectionals suggested he was simply too good for his rivals - his four quarters were run in 29.8, 29.2, 28.9 and 29.4.
Our Hi Jinx, a former Kiwi, won the previous heat in a 1:55.5 mile rate, home in 27.6.
“He’s one of the better free-for-allers over here,’’ Barnes said of the 19-race winner.
Trojan Banner is still owned by Lincoln Farms and a big partnership, including the 23-strong Green Machine Syndicate who race Friday night’s Auckland winner Celtic Thunder.
Their partners include the Four Legs Syndicate, a group of eight Waikato battlers who also share in Northview Hustler, Addington racing manager Brian Rabbitt and his sister Margaret, Joe and Raewyn Chojnacki and Lincoln Farms’ own team - owners John and Lynne Street, business manager Ian Middleton and office staffer Merle Gradwell.
More news in Harness
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Rampaging La Moose growing on Ray and right-handed shouldn’t be a worry
Grins night joy: Frisco Bay clears maidens in style and Ray’s hoping he’ll now go on with it
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.”
