Larry Lincoln noses out hot favourite Our Madiba at Albion Park.
Al right on the money as Larry Lincoln pulls off $12.80 upset at Albion Park
By Barry Lichter • 20 February 2021
If trainer Al Barnes’ tip that Larry Lincoln was a big winning chance tonight wasn’t enough, his Facebook post just an hour before the race showed how confident he was.
Barnes told www.lincolnfarms.co.nz in his preview that Larry was “flying, busting to win a race and I reckon this is his chance.”
And on his Facebook page Barnes posted a picture of the horse, sporting his big white blaze, letting people know he was trying to set up a syndicate to buy him from Lincoln Farms.
Barnes was very bullish before the race given how unlucky Larry had been in his recent racing and predicted the better quality field, and faster tempo, would actually help him.
And so it proved when, despite being sent out only fifth favourite at $12.80, the little warrior was saved for one run and used his high speed to down the hot favourite Our Madiba by a nose.
“I’m rapt,” Barnes said. “We love that little horse, he’s such a gentleman. I love him that much I’m trying to set up a syndicate to buy him.
“He’s sound and honest and he’ll only get better when they go quicker.”
Hayden Barnes brings back Larry Lincoln after his terrific win tonight. PHOTO: Dan Costello.But Barnes admitted while Larry ranged up powerfully three wide to take a narrow lead on straightening for home, he wasn’t confident that he’d hang on.
“Hayden was first to pull at the 600 and I thought he’d gone too early and would run out of puff. But Larry kept trying and dug in deep.
“Hayden was rapt that he finally got a decent trip and he drove him a treat. He went straight back on to a helmet, instead of going forward.
“Larry’s been desperately unlucky in his last few runs but tonight he got a good trip in a small field, and he must have run a low 26 in that last quarter.”
The four-year-old Sweet Lou gelding clocked a slick 1:58.2 for the 1660 metres, a mile rate of 1:54.6, and despite a brutal opening quarter of 26.8, the leader ran the closing 800 in 55.1 and 400 in 26.8.
It was Larry Lincoln’s sixth win for Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street since they sent the horse to Queensland and his A$7818 purse tonight took his earnings in the state to A$33,964.
Hustler hit a knee
Northview Hustler couldn’t make it back-to-back wins later in the night but had an excuse for finishing at the rear.
Barnes said his son Hayden reported the horse was bolting turning for home and he thought he was going to run straight past his rivals.
“But he got on himself and gave his knee a good whack - he was probably just going too quick for himself.
“Hayden did the right thing and eased him down.”
Barnes said foot trouble was often the cause of horses getting on a knee and the Hustler was continually worried by corns and infections.
“I’ll get him right and he’ll be back fine in two weeks. Hayden said he actually felt really good in the warm-up, as good as he’s ever been.”
More news in Harness
Brace for Ray and Lincoln Farms at Cambridge but Colonel’s placing just as thrilling
Ray: Preferential draw for top fillies makes it tough for everyone else in Golden Gait series
Patient owners hoping high-priced Colonel can salute at Cambridge on Thursday night
Friday’s Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup all about the standing start manners of Aussie raider
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.”
