Chilling image of Al in neck brace has lucky resolution and he’s gung ho about Sunday sale

Al Barnes has learned not to stress about things but he admits to feeling a little apprehensive when told he had fractured and displaced his neck and would need surgery after a weekend accident.

Happily, before being transferred from Ipswich Hospital to Brisbane, doctors established the fractures were from an old injury and he’s now back home recovering.

Barnes came a cropper while tubing behind a boat on Lake Moogerra, an hour south of Marburg, landed on his head and later went to hospital in considerable pain when he developed a big lump on the back of his neck.

“They said I’d fractured the C3, C4 and C5 bones in my neck but it turns out it was an old injury. It’s strange because I’ve never had a neck injury - all my accidents when I’ve been run over by horses have been in my lower back.”

While the site of the pain had warning bells ringing Barnes says the thought of being paralysed never entered his head.

“But I knew something was wrong because it was so sore. I’m back home now and I guess it’s a lesson for all of us. I’m 49 years old and don’t bounce like I used to.”

Barnes says he’s stopped stressing about his immediate future - the property he’s been renting while training for Lincoln Farms is on the market.

“The property goes to auction on February 18 and I’ll just see what happens. If it does sell and I can’t rent it back, at least I’ll be able to train from my mate Tony Turpin’s place which is just five minutes up the road.”

Al Barnes has high hopes for Lot 36 whom he is selling at Sunday’s APG yearling sale.Stunning colt sells on Sunday

Barnes still has Brian Christopher and Franco Nandor for Lincoln Farms and says they should be ready to trial by the end of the month. But his immediate focus is on Sunday’s Gold Coast APG yearling sale where he will offer a stunning looking colt with a real story behind it.

Lot 36, by Woodlands Stud’s exciting new sire Downbytheseaside, is out of the good producing Christian Cullen mare Lislady.

“I saw the mare advertised for sale for $4500 when she was in foal with this colt and bought her but when she arrived she got Colitis X and they were going to put her down.

“She bled from both nostrils for three weeks, and her head swelled, but she wanted to live and kept eating. I was giving her five litres of fluids by IV every four hours.”

Barnes says since her colt was born he has done so well he’s turned into a real cracker.

“I hope to get between $50,000 and $100,000 for him. If the sale was in New Zealand he’s the type John Street would pay $200,000 for. He looks immaculate and is from a really good family.”

Lislady has already left My Casino Belle who won seven races and was placed in both the Queensland Oaks and Derby, New Zealand winner Best Shot who has notched 18 wins in the States and paced 1:51.8, and My Bettor Lady (10 wins, 1:53.7).

The colt’s third dam Lismore won 12 races but more importantly left 13 winners including multiple world champion Albert Albert who won 19 times at two and three.

Barnes says competition for lots on Sunday should be keen because sponsorship with online wagering provider Neds will see sale graduates eligible to compete for more than A$3.25million in prizemoney and bonuses.

The glory days of Northview Hustler - after his Queensland debut win in the Flashing Red at Albion Park in 2019. PHOTO: Dan Costello.Rehab about to start on Hustler

Barnes is also about due to start rehab work on his best mate, eight-year-old Northview Hustler, who was injured again in December when ligaments detached from a sesamoid bone.

“We were looking at three months before he started walking but it’s settled down a lot. I’ll do it properly though and won’t rush him.”

Barnes took over majority ownership of the horse last April when his fetlock and tendon issues got on top of him, Carl Officer and Stu Cappie the only original owners who retained a small share. And since he got back to the track last August he has started 17 times for two wins and five placings, earning $33,416 in stakes. The old warhorse now boasts a career record of 18 wins, 22 placings and A$266,838 in stakes.

“He’s a great bread and butter horse - he just goes round and earns cheques. Now I just need a few more like him.”

News that Barnes is not pulling pin on his training career will be welcome given his terrific record of training more than 50 winners for Lincoln Farms in less than three years.