Whoosh! Trojan Banner scorches past trial rivals like a ready-made winner
By Barry Lichter • 8 March 2019
Trojan Banner will make his Queensland debut on Tuesday week after thrilling his new trainer and driver in Friday’s trial at Albion Park.
Lincoln Farms’ three-year-old came from the tail of the field in the home straight and roared past his rivals, showing trainer Al Barnes even more speed than he thought he had.
“I didn’t think he could sprint that sharply,’’ said Barnes after Trojan Banner clocked a 1:57 mile rate in winning the 1660 metre trial by 2.3 metres, going away.
In the trail early for Barnes’ son Hayden, Trojan Banner ended up three back and in a hopeless possie turning for home.
Trainer Al Barnes … Trojan Banner has speed and stamina.“Hayden was a bit worried he wasn’t going to get a crack at them so he grabbed hold, went back and hooked out wide.
“He was rapt afterwards about how easily he did it.’’
Barnes said his other son Brendan was quick to run over and say: ‘I hope Hayden doesn’t want to drive that one’.
“But Hayden has first choice and he was pretty excited about the horse.
“He did it comfortably and could quite easily have gone a 1:54 or 1:55 mile.
“He steered well, hung in a little bit - but that could be because he’s only 90 percent fit - and handled the track well.
“That will tighten him up nicely and he can run on Tuesday week in a three-year-old race.
“Judging by that effort today he might have just as much speed as stamina.’’
Trojan Banner races past Much Bettor in Friday’s trial.Trojan Banner had no trouble running past Much Bettor, who has won four of his 11 starts, but his steady sectionals suggested he was simply too good for his rivals - his four quarters were run in 29.8, 29.2, 28.9 and 29.4.
Our Hi Jinx, a former Kiwi, won the previous heat in a 1:55.5 mile rate, home in 27.6.
“He’s one of the better free-for-allers over here,’’ Barnes said of the 19-race winner.
Trojan Banner is still owned by Lincoln Farms and a big partnership, including the 23-strong Green Machine Syndicate who race Friday night’s Auckland winner Celtic Thunder.
Their partners include the Four Legs Syndicate, a group of eight Waikato battlers who also share in Northview Hustler, Addington racing manager Brian Rabbitt and his sister Margaret, Joe and Raewyn Chojnacki and Lincoln Farms’ own team - owners John and Lynne Street, business manager Ian Middleton and office staffer Merle Gradwell.
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Our runners this week
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Leo Lincoln, Onyx Shard, Lincoln La Moose.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Whats Up The Hill
6.38pm
“He keeps improving every time we put him out there and even though it will all be quite new to him - it’s his first time off the place at a new venue with a bit more urgency - he’s a pretty laid back individual. So long as he gets round OK and it’s a good experience for him that’s the main priority. But he’s done nothing wrong so far and should be right in it. He’s a lovely animal with the pedigree to back him up.”
Race 5: Frisco Bay
7.38pm
“Duchess Megxit is a serious horse who’s already won more than $500,000 and you’d look silly tipping against her. Frisky is up in grade and will need to get the right trip and a bit of luck to get any of it.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
8.05pm
“He tries hard. He’s a typical Bettor’s Delight who saves his best for the big dance. I’d like to think he’s going to keep getting better.”
Race 6: Prince Lincoln
8.05pm
“He’s pretty tractable so I don’t think the wide draw will make much difference. It’s only a small field so he won’t be far off them in the running. Rahm has to be a danger but my two colts have a little edge in experience on him.”
Race 8: Lincoln Linda
9.03pm
“Maurice was pretty happy with her last run and, if nothing goes wrong in the running, from the inside draw, she could be the one to beat.”
Race 8: Angelic Copy
9.03pm
“She’s a very nice, tractable filly who keeps getting better. She does nothing wrong and I expect her to go another good race. There’s nothing between her and Lincoln Linda.”
