Hayden takes it on the chin and pledges to give our Girl a better trip this time
By Barry Lichter • 28 June 2019
Driver Hayden Barnes admits he had a brain snap last week on Lincoln’s Girl.
But he promises there’ll be no repeat when the filly tackles the A$16,000 Rising Stars Championship Final at Albion Park on Saturday night.
And, if things pan out and they go hard in front, trainer Al Barnes can see the filly taking out the thick end of the good purse.
Hayden drove the Lincoln Farms’ owned filly like she was a Rolls Royce in last week’s heat, engaging in a high speed duel over the first 400 metres which was cut out in a white hot 25.9.
Hayden Barnes … put his hands up over last week’s drive.He’d all but crossed over to the lead on the filly when Matt Elkins on Aphorism threw everything at his horse trying to hold him out.
Lincoln’s Girl eventually made the lead but it was at a cost and she ran out of puff in the run home, still battling on bravely for fourth, only 5.5 metres from the winner who clocked a 1:54.5 mile rate.
From six, one from the outside of the gate, there’ll be no early charge for the lead this time.
“There’s too much speed inside her for that,’’ says Al Barnes.
“She’s better anyway when not used in the first 300 metres or 400 metres.
“If Hayden’s patient and drives a smart race I can see her winning. He can drop off, find a possie, and slide up from the 800. If they go silly up front he’ll come with one run and a 55 half should be able to win it.’’
Barnes says it’s an even field for the final - “there are a couple as good as her, but none better. The horse that won our heat (Amillion Promises) is consistent. But we’ve got the right horse to win the race. She’s tough.”
Three starts back, in her last win and fourth overall in Queensland, Lincoln’s Girl clocked a hot 1:53.3 mile rate after being three wide to the death seat.
Barnes’ only worry is that last week’s early burn might have fired up the filly and she might try to do the same on Saturday night.
Princess Tiffany, outer, and Belle Of Montana battle it out in the Three-Year-Old Diamond at Addington.“I want her to learn to settle as the plan is to get to the Oaks.’’
The A$100,000 Queensland Oaks (2138m) is run at Albion Park on July 13.
Barnes will get to see the dominant favourite for the Oaks when she trials at 4.38pm between races at Albion Park on Friday.
The All Stars’ New Zealand Oaks winner (Our) Princess Tiffany, who went under by a nose to Belle Of Montana last time in a stirring home stretch duel at the Harness Jewels, is drawn to start from the ace in a 1660 metre heat.
Lincoln’s Girl races at 9.38pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday.
More news in Harness
Unlucky Leo worth a dollar in the cup and La Moose can go close again on Thursday night
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.”
