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
The dream’s alive but Nate tells why he’ll wait for ‘Harry’ before racing Eric again
Ray gives reformed Rascal his ‘most likely to succeed’ report from the pole on Friday night
Ray doesn’t pull any punches about Sugar Ray but punters weigh in nonetheless
Partners and pedigree made Johnny Lincoln’s win special - but where was everyone?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
