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.
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Prince set to sign off 2025 in style but Ray tips out two specials to follow in the New Year
Spiritual Bliss notches hat-trick and pushes Lincoln Farms’ season tally to record 43
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Wednesday at Auckland
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
5.10pm
“I can’t believe he’s not picked in four (on the HRNZ website). He actually headed Cyclone Rebel last start but switched off. We’ve added sliding blinds which seem to have helped in training and he’s got to be a good each-way chance. He just needs a bit of luck from six on the gate.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
5.10pm
“He’ll need some luck from the outside but hopefully he can still get a cheque. He doesn’t have as much speed as Prince Lincoln.”
Race 7: Spiritual Bliss
6pm
“I think she’ll be able to handle the rise in class. She’s a pretty good mare who keeps finding when the pressure goes on. It won’t be easy but she has a good draw and has already run a mile in 1:55.3.”
Race 7: Debbie Lincoln
6pm
“It’s hard to know how she compares with Spiritual Bliss but I think they’re both chances. Debbie Lincoln is still the fastest three-year-old to win over 1700 metres around Alexandra Park and she was excellent again when just pipped by Tyson last time.”
Race 12: Tyson
8.38pm
“The rise in class won’t stop him. If they go a bit harder, he can still run a 56 half off a solid pace. He’s improving all the time, more than I thought he would. He could easily win again.”
Race 12: Leo Lincoln
8.38pm
“We threw him in the deep end first-up when he really needed another trial. That race will bring him on a bit but I think he’ll need another before we see him at his best.”
Ray’s comments
Sunday at Cambridge
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
1.38pm
“If Fergie drives him right, and can get the front, he should win. It was only a sprint up the straight last time and he’s not a sit-sprinter, he needs to be out and trucking. This is the weakest field he’s met.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
1.38pm
“Wide on the second row isn’t a good draw but she’s not brilliant out of the gate anyway. She’ll need a lot of luck.”
Race 9: Lincoln Maree
5.07pm
“She’s no superstar but, if things go her way, she’s a chance. She didn’t beat much at Manawatu but she’s the highest rated in the field and has a nice enough draw.”
