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
No Jumals to beat this time at the Park so Ray’s looking for Lincoln Wave to roll in
Lincoln Linda best of the night at Cambridge - she has the engine to cross Soul Artist
Cheapie Johnny Lincoln a “proper” racehorse who can foot it with the Million bluebloods
Bang! Lincoln Wave’s tyre blows out, startling rival drivers but Alabar win would shock more
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.44pm
“She did well here last time as she had to do a bit to get to the lead and she dug in and fought on. She’s certainly a chance if she repeats that effort.”
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
7.09pm
“I thought she went super last time after doing a lot of work. She can do that because she has an engine and is tough. She’s a bit one-dimensional - you have to turn her loose early - but from the two draw she should be able to lead and that’s where she does her best work.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.34pm
“I think he’s a bit stronger after his spell. It’s not a great field - most will die on that mark - and I don’t see a problem with the standing start as he’s nicely gaited. He could be marginally unfit after three months out but he’s done quite a bit of work and I can see him going a half-decent race.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.59pm
“She had every chance last time but I can’t see why she won’t go well again. She’s as honest as they come and tries like hell.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
8.29pm
“You’d think he’d lead easily from the inside. He’s had bad draws and still got the money, so I’m sure he’ll go another good race. I’m surprised they sold him so cheaply. He’s better than people think.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Wave
5.09pm
“With the trip he got in the Harness Million I thought he’d have run on a lot better. But he was still a bit short on fitness and sometimes we can expect too much of these horses, he was racing the best, after all. It’s a big drop in grade here and he’s a pretty fair horse.”
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.09pm
“He’s an honest sort who’s in a good space but he won’t get a wonderful trip from the outside of the gate this time so I’m not holding my breath.”
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
6.04pm
“He’s training down well but you never know what he’s going to do. You think you’ve got him sorted and he does something silly. But we know if the real Sammy turned up, he’d be very hard to beat as he’s got a lot of speed.”
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
7.05pm
“He’s another where you don’t know which one will turn up but we’ve gelded him since his last run, so we’ll see if that helps. He trained well the other day.”
