1:52.8 opening salvo by Trojan Banner in the United States and Lincoln’s Girl in again
By Barry Lichter • 8 December 2019
The demand for Lincoln Farms pacers went up another notch when first Trojan Banner then Lincoln’s Girl won in the space of 24 hours in the United States.
Trojan Banner was having his first start in the United States since being sold out of Al Barnes’ Marburg stable in Queensland and lined up a well backed commodity at Dover Downs in Delaware with champion driver Tim Tetrick in the bike.
After drawing the outside of the eight-horse field, Trojan Banner was sixth in the early running before improving to be fourth in the one-one at the 400.
When brought out three wide in the stretch he swept past the former Ken Barron-trained Never Say Never to win decisively in a 1:52.8 mile.
Trained by Jim King jun., Trojan Banner is now raced by Richard Poillucci and JoAnn Looney-King and looks set to pick up where he left off for Barnes, who prepared him to win seven of his 10 starts in Brisbane.
Lincoln’s Girl … four wins in the States from six starts.At Harrah’s in Philadelphia Lincoln’s Girl took a lifetime best when she did it the hard way yet still clocked 1:52.8 in a US$17,000 mile.
Driven by champion Kiwi driver Dexter Dunn Lincoln’s Girl left the gate from four and was third early before easing off the markers to face the breeze for most of the last 800 metres, which was run in a slick 55.
She engaged in a good battle with the favourite Glorious Nite before edging ahead by three-quarters of a length.
It was Lincoln’s Girl’s fourth win from six starts in the States for trainer Josh Green and owners Richard Lombardo and David Kryway.
Barnes, who won five races with the daughter of Sir Lincoln earlier in the year, says the run of success comes as no surprise.
“She was a good mare who was just troubled by her stifles but I always thought she’d do well over there.”
Lincoln’s Girl is out of Tania Tandias, also the dam of Lincoln Road, whom Barnes trains, and Tommy Lincoln, who has just gone for a month’s spell after galloping at Auckland last Friday.
More news in Harness
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Tyson’s knockout punch makes it 1100 for Zachary and 85 for Lincoln Farms
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
7.39pm
“He ran good time (2:41.7) last start and wasn’t given much peace in the lead. He’s an honest little fellow who is racing well and he moves in one, to five, with the early scratching. You can’t fault what he’s doing and he’s definitely a chance to get some of the money again.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Tyson
5.54pm
“He dogged up on the pole last time so we’ve taken it off this week. He’ll get his head round but at least he’ll steer better and go forward. He’s taken a little longer to come to it but he’s getting better each time and is racing well.”
Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
8.15pm
“Fergie said he’d have run straight past them with a clear run last week. There was a gap in the straight but it closed when he got to it. He’s not the best on the bends yet and can get keen but he’s a work in progress. He still has a bit to learn but he’s getting better. He should get a good trip from the pole and be right in it.”
