Hayden Barnes moves Joey Lincoln up to park a lap from home in his debut at Albion Park. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Al happy to look after Joey - he won’t be bustled out to lead on Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 23 April 2020
If Joey Lincoln can run in the top four at Albion Park on Friday night, trainer Al Barnes will be plenty pleased.
But, realistically, even from the inside draw, Barnes says Joey, who is just a learner, will probably find the opposition too strong.
Barnes has been unable to find a maiden race for Joey Lincoln since his frustrating fourth on debut, when he galloped under pressure 300 metres from home when running second.
“That’s the first time he’s galloped in the last two months and it was just pressure. The leader (Friday’s race rival Betterthandiamonds) was going too fast for him and he wasn’t comfortable chasing her.
“He might have been touching round the bend but I think it was just greenness. We’ve just got to get his confidence up.”
Barnes doesn’t want to see Joey spearing out too fast from the ace draw on Friday night.
“He won’t lead. We don’t want to put him under pressure like that. Second or third on the fence and getting a nice, cruisy trip would be ideal.
“I’d actually like him to be three fence so he’s not the first one chasing the leader.
“Last time he had to park out and do the chasing (when the winner went a 1:54.6 mile rate) but this time he should get a sweet trip on the fence. It’s a strong field but if he can do that he can run top four.
“I’m happy with him, he’s doing well and isn’t tired. He’s got ability but just needs a bit of time.
“If he can go round in 1:57 or 1:58 each week, do it within himself and learn, he’ll keep improving.”
When there was no maiden for Joey to run in last week, Barnes pulled him out of the only alternative.
“He didn’t need to be chasing a filly like Pelosi (who has won seven races and more than $250,000 from only 11 starts).
“But there’s a maiden now scheduled for Tuesday and, if that holds up, he can go round again.”
Joey Lincoln races at 9.52pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday night.
More news in Harness
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Our runners this week
Tuesday at Cambridge
Colonel Lincoln, Onyx Shard, Commander Lincoln, Debbie Lincoln, Kevin Kline, Lincoln La Moose, The Big Lebowski.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Commander Lincoln
5.51pm
“Back to Cambridge and the easier amateur ranks he can get some of it. He’s an honest little horse who pays his way.”
Race 4: Onyx Shard
6.49pm
“She’s a nice filly who is training really well and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her in the money in spite of the outside draw. She’d be one of the best in that field and is definitely an each-way chance.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.39pm
“He hasn’t raced for nearly 21 months but his training has been good and he should go well first-up. He’s a beautiful, big horse who probably lacks a yard of speed to be a real super horse but he’s got everything else. I expect him to go well against this lot.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
8.04pm
“He’s training well and has surprised us before, like when he won his first start at Cambridge like a monster after breaking on the first turn. It’s always the way when they win their first start - it makes things hard for them after that - but he’s travelling well now and is capable of being in it.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Lincoln Lou
7.09pm
“He’ll be relying on a heap of good luck from the second row. His last run was a non-event. The poor little bugger couldn’t have done a better job of finding trouble. He’s trained on all right.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.09pm
“He’s training really well and he showed last time what a big motor he had, losing all that ground early and still getting up to win. He’s not famous for his gate speed but as long as he gets away safely then Maurice can put him in the race at the right time. There are a lot of horses in there that aren’t that safe who could stand on their ear. Navigating through them is always a worry. He’ll need some luck but he could give them a fright.”
Race 6: Frisco Bay
8.05pm
“He obviously can’t beat Duchess Megxit or Jeremiah but if he gets a good trip he’s a chance of getting some money. Things didn’t suit him last time - being out three wide then going to the front. He’s so hot, he over-races. He goes best if he’s allowed to slop out and find the back of something, when he generally relaxes. Even if he got back a bit, that would be all right, so long as he gets sucked along.”
