Trojan Banner puts a space into his rivals last start at Albion Park.
Trojan Banner poised to add to picket fence form line on Friday
By Barry Lichter • 3 April 2019
From the ace draw, Trojan Banner will touch a very short price on Friday to make it a hat-trick of wins at Albion Park in Brisbane.
But, ironically, the draw is the only thing stopping trainer Al Barnes from declaring him past the post.
When Barnes saw the mediocre line-up against Trojan Banner on Friday he knew he’d made the right decision to scratch the horse from Tuesday even though the mobile gate issue had been resolved in time.
That’s because there’s nothing in Friday’s field capable of beating the Lincoln Farms’ pacer - providing he begins swiftly.
“There are a couple in there who could try to test him early and there’s a little chance he could be crossed,’’ says Barnes. “The two horse (Torque Feel Good) likes to lead.
“I know in New Zealand he wasn’t the cleanest out of the gate, he got a bit rough, but he seems to be pacing better here and he should have enough speed to hold them.’’
Al Barnes … Trojan Banner will have an easy passage through the grades.Barnes says the horse will be a little fresh after missing Tuesday’s run.
“That won’t hurt him but I believe he’s better racing consistently every week.’’
Barnes was able to scratch Trojan Banner from Tuesday’s meeting at Albion Park without penalty because it was not known whether the mobile would be passed fit to use in time.
Mobile starts in the state were suspended after a bad accident at Redcliffe when four members of the Whittaker family, watching in a spectators’ area, were hurt after being struck by the arms of the gate which failed to retract.
As it turned out the mobile was used on Tuesday and the winner of the race Trojan Banner was to have contested, Smart As Camm Be, clocked a slick 2:34 for the 2138 metres.
It was the filly’s ninth win from only 11 starts but Barnes is adamant Trojan Banner can run the sectionals she clocked - a 1:55.9 mile rate and closing half of 56.5.
But having to sit outside the filly, or coming from the back, would have been much harder.
Barnes says he’s quite happy to postpone meeting Smart As Camm Be, and a few other higher rated three-year-olds, until Trojan Banner has progressed further through the grades.
“With his speed and stamina, he’ll have an easy passage through.’’
Lincoln’s Girl … kicking off on Friday but will need the run. PHOTO: Royden Williams.Barnes will give Lincoln Farms’ other import Lincoln’s Girl her first race on Friday’s card, where she has drawn three in the third race over 1660 metres.
“I’m going into it a bit blind without a trial and, while she’ll need the run, and it’s not a bad field, she’ll be competitive.
“She’s an each way chance and won’t be far away.’’
Lincoln’s Girl won two of her nine starts in New Zealand, including a 1:56.7 mile at Alexandra Park, but spoiled her chances repeatedly by over-racing.
Barnes labels former Lincoln Farms’ pacer Lincoln Road a winner in the first race on Saturday night at 8.14pm NZ time.
“Freshened up, drawn four over a mile, they won’t beat him.’’
Lincoln Road has won seven races for Barnes since being bought last September.
Trojan Banner races at 3.42pm NZ time.
Lincoln’s Girl runs at 4.52pm NZ time.
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.”
