Trojan Banner went on a winning streak of seven in Brisbane. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Al proud of our boy Trojan Banner who is in the running for three-year-old of the year
By Barry Lichter • 20 September 2019
Trojan Banner’s hot streak in Brisbane has been recognised with the colt a finalist for the title of Queensland three-year-old pacer of the year.
And while Trojan Banner is almost certain to be outpointed by the top filly Smart As Camm Be, trainer Al Barnes says he’s very proud of what the horse achieved for Lincoln Farms in just five months.
“He exceeded all our expectations - we didn’t think he was that good.”
Between March and July, Trojan Banner remained unbeaten, racking up seven wins in a row on the road to the Queensland Derby.
And with a little more luck he could have placed in the derby, rather than finishing fifth, when he roared home in sectionals faster than winner Self Assured.
Hayden Barnes urges Trojan Banner on in his narrow win at Redcliffe. PHOTO: Michael McInally.Trojan Banner was sold to the United States for a six figure sum soon afterwards and Barnes is hoping he will get the chance to prove the sequence was no fluke with some new Lincoln Farms’ stock this season.
“The goal is to win it (the three-year-old award) this year. Sir Tiger will do a good job but we’ll just have to wait and see what else Lincoln Farms sends over.”
Barnes reports Sir Tiger is nearly back in full work after a recent mishap in the cart left him with a big haematoma high up inside his off hind leg.
“There’s still a bit of swelling there but he bowled along quite freely today.
“He could be ready to race on Friday week.”
While Trojan Banner amassed A$44,820 during the season, Smart As Camm Be’s tally was considerably higher at A$74,837.
She won seven of her eight starts, including the Group II Queensland Triad Final and a heat of the Victoria Oaks, her sole defeat in the Oaks Final.
Neither remaining finalists Escalera nor Lifes Black are serious contenders for the three-year-old award with vastly inferior records.
The winner will be announced at a gala function on September 29.
More news in Harness
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Prince Lincoln finally shows what he’s made of - and, wow, was that a blazing demolition!
Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.14pm
“She tries hard and is getting stronger. She just needs a trip to be right there.”
Race 3: Copy N Paste
6.16pm
“Maurice said he got a bit tired on debut but I didn’t expect a lot. Four months ago you’d have wondered if he’d ever qualify. He’ll improve on that - he’s improving all the time - but from seven he’ll have to go back and come into it late.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.14pm
Update: Scratched
“She’s up in grade but is a chance again if she can get a good run up the front of the field. It was a good effort last time to break 2:43.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.49pm
“She’s trained on OK and, while no champion, has to be a chance down in grade against the amateur horses.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.57pm
“I can’t see her beating Sammy Lincoln but with a good draw at last you’ll see a better performance. She’s capable of finishing in the first three.”
Race 4: Spirit Of God
6.57pm
“She bolted in at the workouts, leading out from a wide gate and getting home in 27.9. She’s a great driving little mare and has good manners. I could see her winning one very soon.”
Race 4: Sammy Lincoln
6.57pm
“I know we’ve said it before but he has been unlucky a few times and, all things being fair and square, it’s hard to see him beaten. The draw is awkward but everything points to him winning. There are no derby horses in there and he went a great race in the Northern Derby last start.”
Race 4: Marylynes Boy
6.57pm
“He’s a tidy little horse. I can’t see him winning from the (second row) draw but he’s like Spirit Of God, he’s not far away from winning one.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.25pm
“He’s been a late developer. You can see it in his growth, his withers have finally popped up, and he’ll get better as time goes on. He’s no champion but he should be a handy horse through winter. He’s capable of stepping away fairly well.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.25pm
“It’s a toss-up between the two of them. Sugar Ray is a bit stronger perhaps but Leo is very good from a stand. You can forget that last run in the Messenger - he was only in there to help get the race off the ground.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.25pm
“He finally showed us what he’s got last week. Inside second row draws can be awkward - you’re at the mercy of the others - but he could end up with a good trail behind the leader.”
