Revealed: Why Lincoln’s Girl will go close on Friday - she’s been smashing the clock
By Barry Lichter • 1 May 2019
Lincoln’s Girl’s form line might not reflect it, but the filly has been going gangbusters and she’s a strong each way chance at Albion Park on Friday evening.
The key to Lincoln’s Girl’s chances in the fifth race is that she is back in the draw, and leaves the gate from three.
The Lincoln Farms’ owned filly was banished from the draw after galloping away on April 16 and forced to start from the second row and outside of the arm in her latest two races.
Her two efforts for seventh and third hid the fact she ran the fastest sectionals in her races both times, making up excellent ground after having to be snagged back to the rear.
Lincoln’s Girl sweeps round three wide turning in as she reels off a 54.38 last half.In her last start, on April 26, Lincoln’s Girl clocked an astonishing 54.38 for her last 800 metres, the fastest of the day, and closed in 27.3 to be only 6.6 metres from the winner in a 1:54.5 mile rate.
Trainer Al Barnes will tell you only a few of the very elite horses in Brisbane are capable of matching that 800 metre time.
Two starts back, from the second row, Lincoln’s Girl again made up a huge slice of ground, clocking 55.32 and 27.2 in a 1:55.9 mile, gaining 16.7 metres over the last 800 metres, according to Racing Queensland’s official stats.
The dilemma for Barnes and his driver son Hayden now is that while the filly has been running exceptional times, it’s because she hasn’t been burned early out of the gate.
On Friday, drawn three, the perfect game plan would be to cross the one and two horses then hand up to the four, Timeless Appeal, who led in their last meeting.
“If we lead, we win, but we don’t really want to push her too hard out of the gate and get her back in the habit of charging,’’ says Barnes.
“Ideally we could cross without using too much petrol then sit in behind the four and run it down up the stretch.’’
Barnes is confident Lincoln’s Girl won’t muck up the start this time now she’s fitted with hopple shorteners, which give the driver much more control early.
“The field is similar to last week, it’s a bit tricky, but she’s a good chance and depending on how the race is run I’m confident she should run first or second.’’
Barnes says Lincoln’s Girl, who won in her first appearance in Brisbane, is getting fitter with each run.
“Last week she had a heart rate of 89 afterwards, which is pretty good, but it took her two races to cool out - we had to wash her twice.
“She’s bright as a button today and I can’t fault her.’’
Lincoln’s Girl closed in a sizzling 54.38 last start.
Two starts back Lincoln’s Girl made up 16.7 metres over the last 800 metres, easily the best closer in the race.
Lincoln’s Girl races at 6.23pm NZ time on Friday.
More news in Harness
Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
