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
Brace for Ray and Lincoln Farms at Cambridge but Colonel’s placing just as thrilling
Ray: Preferential draw for top fillies makes it tough for everyone else in Golden Gait series
Patient owners hoping high-priced Colonel can salute at Cambridge on Thursday night
Friday’s Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup all about the standing start manners of Aussie raider
Our runners this week
Tuesday at Cambridge
Colonel Lincoln, Onyx Shard, Commander Lincoln, Debbie Lincoln, Kevin Kline, Lincoln La Moose, The Big Lebowski.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Commander Lincoln
5.51pm
“Back to Cambridge and the easier amateur ranks he can get some of it. He’s an honest little horse who pays his way.”
Race 4: Onyx Shard
6.49pm
“She’s a nice filly who is training really well and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her in the money in spite of the outside draw. She’d be one of the best in that field and is definitely an each-way chance.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.39pm
“He hasn’t raced for nearly 21 months but his training has been good and he should go well first-up. He’s a beautiful, big horse who probably lacks a yard of speed to be a real super horse but he’s got everything else. I expect him to go well against this lot.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
8.04pm
“He’s training well and has surprised us before, like when he won his first start at Cambridge like a monster after breaking on the first turn. It’s always the way when they win their first start - it makes things hard for them after that - but he’s travelling well now and is capable of being in it.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Lincoln Lou
7.09pm
“He’ll be relying on a heap of good luck from the second row. His last run was a non-event. The poor little bugger couldn’t have done a better job of finding trouble. He’s trained on all right.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.09pm
“He’s training really well and he showed last time what a big motor he had, losing all that ground early and still getting up to win. He’s not famous for his gate speed but as long as he gets away safely then Maurice can put him in the race at the right time. There are a lot of horses in there that aren’t that safe who could stand on their ear. Navigating through them is always a worry. He’ll need some luck but he could give them a fright.”
Race 6: Frisco Bay
8.05pm
“He obviously can’t beat Duchess Megxit or Jeremiah but if he gets a good trip he’s a chance of getting some money. Things didn’t suit him last time - being out three wide then going to the front. He’s so hot, he over-races. He goes best if he’s allowed to slop out and find the back of something, when he generally relaxes. Even if he got back a bit, that would be all right, so long as he gets sucked along.”
