Trojan Banner is very sharp for his resumption at Albion Park on Tuesday. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Trojan Banner very sharp for Tuesday - Hayden flat holding him in his final hitout
By Barry Lichter • 29 July 2019
Trojan Banner will make a surprise early reappearance at Albion Park on Tuesday evening, trainer Al Barnes delighted with how sharp he is post the Queensland Derby.
And even though he has drawn poorly at four on the second row in the eighth race over 1660 metres, Barnes says he’ll still earn a cheque.
Barnes believes Trojan Banner will be even better on Tuesday than when he ran his excellent fifth in the derby, running faster closing sectionals than the unbeaten winner Self Assured.
“That run really topped him off,” says Barnes “He’s very sharp now. When Hayden worked him the other day, he bolted on him.”
Set two trips over 2400 metres, Trojan Banner took off over the last lap.
“That’s not like him. You normally have to get up him to make him go, so it’s really good to see him so sharp.
“He’s only got to run up to his latest effort to be very hard to beat.”
Trojan Banner bursts home wide out at the finish of the Queensland Derby.Barnes believes Trojan Banner could have placed in the derby had Hayden chosen to make his run through the middle, rather than heading wide turning for home.
“Luke (McCarthy, on Jesse Duke) kept coming out underneath him and with Trojan trying to duck in, Hayden had to keep stopping to steer him.”
Despite that Trojan Banner was only 3 metres behind the third placed dead-heaters Jesse Duke and Our Princess Tiffany at the post, sizzling home in 53.55 and 26.56.
“It will be a bit tricky from 11 so Hayden will just have to see how it pans out. Whether he’s wide early or late, I’ll leave it up to him.
“It’s a good even field - Withalotofluck has won 21 races - but he’s up to them.”
Safely through Tuesday, Barnes intends lining Trojan Banner up again on Sunday at his local Marburg meeting.
“It’s only 2km down the road and he can run in the Marburg Derby and Lincoln’s Girl can run in the Oaks.”
In other stable news, Northview Hustler began jogging again today after a week’s rest.
“It was three days after the Blacks A Fake before he started to buck and feel good again. He’ll tell us when he’s ready but I expect he’ll race again in about three weeks.”
Trojan Banner races at 7.12pm NZ time on Tuesday evening at Albion Park.
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.”
