Cyclone Oma as it appears today, lurking off the coast of Brisbane.
Trainer reassures: Cyclone Oma can’t touch my two new Kiwi imports
By Barry Lichter • 22 February 2019
With a cyclone bearing down on Queensland, trainer Al Barnes has reassured Lincoln Farms bosses that new arrivals Trojan Banner and Lincoln’s Girl are out of harm’s way.
Al Barnes … excited about the futures for Trojan Banner and Lincoln’s Girl.Barnes reports the pair are in safe and spacious boxes so will be amply protected should Tropical Cyclone Oma turn nasty.
But latest reports today say places like Barnes’ Marburg stables, 60km inland of Brisbane, should escape too much damage with the cyclone just downgraded to a category one system.
Severe weather warnings are still in place as the slow moving system lingers 700km north east of Brisbane.
Lincoln’s Girl pictured in her safe surroundings at Marburg today.Barnes says both Trojan Banner and Lincoln’s Girl have got over the colds which affected them soon after their arrival at the start of the month.
“Trojan Banner will be at the trials in two or three weeks.’’
Lincoln’s Girl, who is in the early stages of a new campaign, will take a little longer to hit the racetrack.
Barnes says he is excited to have two such quality horses join his barn and expects they will do a great job for Lincoln Farms and its partners.
Trojan Banner tucking into his feed today. He is over his cold and will be trialling in a couple of weeks.Lincoln Road on highway to the top
Barnes, who is helped by his partner Cassie Saunders and sons Hayden and Brendan, are enjoying a terrific run at present with another Lincoln Farms graduate, Lincoln Road, who was bought in a package deal with Blue Glory last year.
Lincoln Road has started 11 times in Queensland and has won seven of his last eight starts, scoring recent back-to-back wins at Albion Park on February 8 and 16.
He posted a mile rate of 1:54.8 in winning over 1660 metres and 1:57.9 when scoring over 2138 metres, winning with authority both times.
(Miss) Blue Glory has also come good, scoring on February 12 in her seventh local start.
More news in Harness
Ray hoping for bold run from gelded Sugar Ray but Mainlanders sure to stifle in-form stable
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’
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.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.34pm
“He’s racing well but from the tricky draw he’s totally at the mercy of those in front of him again on Friday.”
Race 3: Whats Up The Hill
6.36pm
“He’s badly placed and I wouldn’t bet him but it’s all good experience. It was his first race last week, first everything, and he was a bit slow away and not fit enough to pull it off. Maurice (McKendry) said he was getting tired when he switched into a pace late.”
Race 6: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.04pm
“You wouldn’t tip him against Marketplace who is clearly the best three-year-old in the country, but since we gelded him he’s been pacing a lot better. He’s training really well and could go well fresh.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lou
8.04pm
“You can’t fault what he’s done - and we know he’s capable of giving some a fright - but these are the best three-year-olds in commission.”
Race 7: Debbie Lincoln
8.34pm
“The draw inconveniences us a bit but I think she’s as good as anything in the race ability-wise. We can’t be too confident but she’s certainly good enough and she’s going well.”
Race 8: Colonel Lincoln
9.09pm
“You can’t fault what he’s done since he’s come back - he’s not been out of the money in seven starts - but this is a big step-up. I could have put him in an easier race but he would have drawn the car park, whereas here I knew he’d draw one. Over only 1700 metres he could get lucky.”
Race 8: Frisco Bay
9.09pm
“He’s drawn to get a good trip and it will be interesting to see where he fits in. Ours have a bit of race fitness under their belts but these are the best around so we’re only hoping. But they’re all beatable.”
