Trojan Banner has everything in his favour on Thursday night. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
Drawn the ace, Trojan Banner holds all the cards at Cambridge on Thursday
By Barry Lichter • 23 January 2019
Thursday is surely the night for Trojan Banner.
Weak field, barrier one, it all stacks up for the colt who has tested the patience of his trainer Ray Green and his owners since his last win 15 starts ago.
“It’s the best draw he’s had in 18 months,’’ says Green. “And he’s sharp as a tack.’’
About the only time Trojan Banner has drawn well in that time has been when he’s been in unwinnable races, against vastly superior horses. Like the night he drew two in the Alabar Classic and ran last, still pacing 2:42 for the 2200 metres behind Ultimate Sniper, Jesse Duke and Another Masterpiece.
We all thought it was his race to lose last time at Cambridge 11 days ago when he dropped down from Auckand company.
But while he paced a slick 2:40.8 it was only good enough for second behind About Turn after he looped the field at the bell to sit three wide with no cover on a 27.7 quarter.
Driver David Butcher managed to get cover down the back straight and produced him outside the leader 350 metres out but came up a length and a half short.
From the pole this time he will get a far easier trip, Butcher almost certain to gun straight for the top.
“I can’t imagine him being beaten this time,’’ says Green.
“He’s better than that lot.’’
Trojan Banner’s form might look ordinary on paper but his previous two starts at Auckland were solid
* On New Year’s Eve, he finished sixth, 5.7 lengths from winner Blazen River, but was buried four and five deep from his inside second row draw and had to come wide on the home turn when mounting his run.
* And before that, again from the second row, he lost a good early possie when he paced roughly then was pushed down to the markers, again ending up buried back in the field. Despite that he came with a resolute finish to run winner Sezana to 1.6 lengths.
On Thursday night Trojan Banner also has a major advantage on main rival Eastanbull who from three on the second row won’t be able to use his high gate speed. He is also having his first start for nearly three months.
More news in Harness
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Onyx Shard can keep the ball rolling for Ray and Nathan at Manawatu on Tuesday
Ray and Debbie both in the money at the Park with speedy ‘Frisky’ and precocious ‘Angela’
What’s Up with the trotter? - Ray ‘guilty’ of being very optimistic for debut on Friday night
Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
Kevin Kline, What’s Up The Hill, Sugar Ray Lincoln, Lincoln Lou, Debbie Lincoln, Colonel Lincoln, Frisco Bay.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
6.07pm
“He didn’t go very well in his workout right-handed last Thursday but he was good on Saturday when we trained him left-handed. It’s his first race for three months so he could possibly need it but we’re talking Manawatu opposition.”
Race 7: Onyx Shard
7.01pm
“She’s absolutely a winning chance. She showed that last time when she had to do a fair bit to hold the lead. Fergie is driving her this time and we’re pretty confident she’ll go well. She’s such a well-gaited mare.”
Race 8: Lincoln La Moose
7.25pm
“He dominated them last time from the outside of the gate and, even though he can be in and out, he’ll be hard to beat again. That easier opposition makes a difference when there’s nothing good enough to eye-ball you. “
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
6.50pm
“He was very unlucky on night one. The gap sort of opened up then closed again and I had to take hold. He was still charging to the line and if the gap had come he would have been right there with the winner. If he can step and lead, then slot into the trail, he should be a winning chance.”
Race 6: Onyx Shard
7.17pm
“Ferg said she wasn’t on the bit the whole way on Tuesday, was too relaxed. We’ll take the block blinds off this time and put half blinds on and see if that helps. She had to do a bit of work in the run on Tuesday but it doesn’t seem to have knocked her around. The outside draw makes it harder.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
7.39pm
“He looks our best chance of the night. He’s definitely a different horse down here and he obviously likes it in front. Ferg didn’t pull the plugs the other night and that tells you something. He’s doing everything right, I can’t fault him.”
