Al lands himself a rare winner and gives Brian Christopher’s owners a real thrill

Trainer Al Barnes couldn’t have chosen a better horse to give him his first driving him in nearly two years than Brian Christopher.

But when the 48-year-old saluted at Redcliffe tonight after a dominant all-the-way win, it was Brian Christopher’s owners, more than himself, that he was most pleased for.

For while Barnes hadn’t driven a winner since Vasari scored in his August, 2019 swansong before being sold to the United States, he also knew how much the success would mean for Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street.

“I’m rapt for John and Lynne as I know he’s a family horse. We’re not chasing big fish - tonight’s win was worth only A$3327 - but it will pay the bills and it will be a thrill for them and that’s what it’s all about.”

John Street’s sister Bev Glass and his brother Kevin and wife Glenis share in the ownership of Brian Christopher who is named in memory of Glass’ son who lost his battle with spina bifida in 2010 at the age of 45.

Brian Christopher with former stable foreman Phil Sattler. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Street chose what he hoped would be his best yearling that year, a $140,000 Bettor’s Delight brother of 13-race winner Lancewood Lizzie who was bred by Steve and Steffie Cornwall and Tony and Lee-Anne Grayling.

But while the horse turned out to lack the speed of his sister, Barnes says he makes up for it as best he can with his determinedness.

“He doesn’t have change-up speed but he keeps trying. He just keeps going at the same speed, he doesn’t go any faster.

“We’re lucky we’ve got a track like Redcliffe where high 28 quarters can win races.”

Brian Christopher didn’t even have to find any of those tonight as Barnes stole the first two sectionals in 32.3 and 31.5 before rolling home in 28.8 and 29 to score by 3.8 metres in a mile rate of 2:00.8.

“The track was a bit ordinary tonight, very wet and sloppy, so it suited a front runner like him.

“He should win a few more here on that effort. I never moved up the straight because he had them covered.

“He was hanging a bit on the turns which was costing him half a length to a length but at least he didn’t flog his knee like last time.

Al Barnes … go-straights and a change of shoeing did the trick tonight.“I added go-straights and changed his shoeing and he didn’t get in on his knee at all tonight. He only just brushed his near side and that was when he was lugging on the turn.”

Barnes believes Brian Christopher’s gate speed, and ability to find the front, will be an asset for him in Queensland.

“But I also think he’ll be just as good parked outside the leader and be just as brave as he feels like he’ll chase well.”

But Barnes was determined to stay in front of Sweet Lombo tonight, knowing from his observations that the favourite lacked a good last 150 metres.

And that he did, finding plenty when the other horse tried to range alongside before the home turn.

“That was good fun,” said Barnes of his overdue winner who paid $3 on the tote.

“I love winning but I don’t normally drive the ones that have a chance. And I’ve had only 20 odd drives since my last win on the old boy (Vasari).”

One of the first to congratulate Barnes was his son Hayden who piloted $61 outsider Vermont who ran last.

“I’m still learning but I might have to lose a bit more weight so I can be really competitive.”