Connections look to Sydney in the spring with Lincoln King after luckless Auckland Cup run

Unlucky Auckland Cup runner Lincoln King heads to the spelling paddock with connections pondering a spring campaign in Sydney.

Trainer and part-owner Stephen Marsh was left lamenting what might have been last Sunday when Lincoln King had a nightmarish trip in the $500,000 Ellerslie feature, finishing 10th, nine lengths from winner Uareastar.

“Luckily he’s come through it unscathed but it was a very hard watch and he just had no luck at all.”

The race started out OK when jockey Craig Grylls landed Lincoln King into a wanted midfield spot. But, despite pushing forward a lap and a half from home to try to keep one off the fence, he was forced to ease when his stablemate Starrybeel came back on him and ended up being pushed down onto the rails, the one place Marsh wanted to avoid.

From then on Lincoln King was shuffled further and further back and, even before he copped a heavy check 900 metres out, his task was starting to look forlorn.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT: Craig Grylls drives Lincoln King to the line to win the Wellington Cup. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images.Lincoln King, with the tailenders turning for home, was then held up numerous times in the straight, boxed in behind a wall of horses close to home.

It was of little consolation that the comments man for NZTR labelled it a “forgive” run, but Marsh remains philosophical.

“He’s done a fantastic job this season. He’s been in three 3200 metre cups and been all over the country - Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.

“But he’s lightened right up now and needs a break. He’ll go out for a good solid two months.”

Marsh says Lincoln King is probably going to be weighted out of next season’s New Zealand Cup, having won the Wellington Cup in January.

“Maybe in the spring, not at carnival time, we could look at going to Sydney. They have good 2600 metre plus races there, often with small fields, and for good stakes of $150,000.

“We’ll make sure he’s coming up well then decide closer to the time.”

Lincoln King’s season earnings amounted to $218,750, mostly from his Wellington Cup win, and his career record from 33 starts now stands at six wins, seven placings and $347,425 for owners John and Lynne Street, Ian Middleton, Bill Gleeson’s Wellfield Lodge and Peter Gillespie.