Trojan Banner, pictured scoring at Redcliffe, will not start on Sunday with an offer pending from the States. PHOTO: Michael McInally.
Al taking no chances with Trojan Banner on Sunday after big money offer from the States
By Barry Lichter • 3 August 2019
Trojan Banner has been scratched from Sunday’s Marburg Derby with connections considering an offer for the colt from the United States.
Given the size of the bid, trainer Al Barnes was reluctant to risk the horse on the tight 700 metre Marburg circuit, no matter how remote the chance that he might hurt himself.
“You’d never forgive yourself if someone knocked you down, or he got on a knee or hung and cross-fired and came out of the race sore.
“A rep for the owners will drive him at Albion Park on Tuesday and he is scheduled to be vetted on Wednesday.”
In the meantime Lincoln Farms and its partners in Trojan Banner are mulling over the offer which is at a level that he is unlikely to be able to win in the future.
The horse, who turned four on Thursday, won $44,820 in the last 12 months - here and in Queensland - with Barnes able to milk the three-year-old handicapping system in Australia, winning seven races on end.
But it will get tougher for him from now and as Lincoln Farms’ business manager Ian Middleton points out in an email to fellow owners, his value would plummet should he lose form.
Trojan Banner has won $30,006 in 18 starts in New Zealand from three wins and two placings. His Australian record stands at seven wins from 10 starts for A$32,724.
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Our runners this week
Sunday at Manawatu
What’s Up The Hill, Onyx Shard, Kevin Kline (scratched), Leo Lincoln.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
5.44pm
“Fergie’s drive on Sunday was perfect, you couldn’t ask for better, and he said the horse was doing his best work in the last 50 metres. Maybe with another 100 metres he might have got there. His gate speed is only OK so I can see him getting crossed here.”
Race 5: Kevin Kline
6.19pm
“Fergie said he did it easily on the first day, and the horse only did what he had to. He’s been racing much nicer horses at Auckland so it was good to get the win, hopefully it will boost his confidence. I’ll leave the tactics up to Fergie but I imagine he’ll probably do the same thing again, loop the field and outstay them.”
Race 6: Onyx Shard
6.54pm
“I was hoping she’d drop down a grade. She’s had some tough trips recently, having to do a lot of work, and it didn’t help being three wide for the last lap on the first day. Also they only walked and sprinted home. She could be better coming with one run at them.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Lover
5.33pm
“He had no chance last start when trapped three wide all the way. That won’t happen this time from the inside draw so that gives him a chance to get some of it.”
Race 2: Prince Lincoln
5.33pm
“He’s shown no gate speed so the wide draw doesn’t matter. He’s coming along all right but will need lots of luck against the hot pots.”
Race 5: Debbie Lincoln
6.54pm
“She seems to have overcome her tying-up issue, her bloods are good, and she’s training well again. She could possibly be underdone and the seven draw makes it very hard.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lou
7.20pm
Scratched. Sold to Western Australia.
