Trojan Banner, outer, misses by the smallest of noses in 1:50 flat at Dover Downs in the United States.
Ex Lincoln Farms warrior Trojan Banner clocks 1:50 flat in the United States
By Barry Lichter • 26 December 2019
Lincoln Farms export Trojan Banner has run a white hot 1:50 flat in the United States - and gone under by the narrowest of margins.
Trojan Banner was having just his third start at Dover Downs, after a debut win and a fifth, and was actually called across the line first in the US$15,000 mile in a desperately close finish with Rockin M.
But the photo showed he had missed by the smallest of noses to catch the leader, a very game performance considering he sat parked for most of the last lap.
Trojan Banner, who began from seven at the gate and settled fourth in the running, eased out into the running line with just under a lap to run after they rocketed out in 26.8 and hit the half in 55.6.
The little colt sustained a long run for champion driver Tim Tetrick, closing in 27 flat.
Though beaten, the run augured very well for new owners Richard Poillucci and Jo Ann Looney-King, who bought the horse from Lincoln Farms soon after he had won seven races straight for Queensland trainer Al Barnes.
More news in Harness
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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.”
