Class acts Lincoln Raider and Lincoln Falls limber up with quiet trials at Foxton

Two of Lincoln Farms’ big guns, Lincoln Raider and Lincoln Falls, took their first steps in a new campaign with quiet trials at Foxton today.

Lincoln Raider was having his first serious hitout since surgery in February to remove a bone chip from his knee.

And he was not let loose by rider Tim Johnson, who reported he never felt comfortable in the very heavy conditions, which had deteriorated markedly by the time his heat was run.

Lincoln Raider, very slow to clear the barriers, made up some distance on the leaders in the run home but was always under a hold in beating one home behind winner Overthetop, who clocked 1:06.07 for the 1000 metres.

“He was a bit above himself today, got quite worked up before the heat, and had a pretty good blow afterwards,” said Johnson.

Trainer Lisa Latta says the trial will really bring Lincoln Raider on and she plans to head back to the Foxton trials on August 13 with him.

Lincoln Falls … coming up well in new campaign.That’s the plan too for Lincoln Falls who also overcame a slow start to get up and run third in his 1000 metre heat, two and a half lengths behind winner Shez Ekstra who clocked 1:05.72.

Johnson said while Lincoln Falls jumped slowly it allowed him to settle the horse in behind where, wearing cheekers, his racing manners were good.

“He raced really nicely and came to the line well in a pretty sharp field.”

Latta says Lincoln Falls, who was gelded after the New Zealand Derby in March, will take a lot of improvement out of the run.

The two other open 1000 metre heats were won by Sentimental Miss (1:04.72) who nosed out Grand Mayson and Wyndspelle (1.05.31) who pipped Authentic Paddy, who turns 10 on Thursday.