Don’t rule out Lincoln Falls in the Derby - he just needs his turn in a decent barrier

With a good draw and a cosy run Lincoln Falls can be right in the finish of next month’s $1million New Zealand Derby.

The Dundeel colt may have finished only fifth in Saturday’s Waikato Guineas but if you examine his run closely you wouldn’t be writing him off as a $21 chance like the TAB bookies.

Mathematically Lincoln Falls had no chance at Te Rapa after his wide draw saw him last early.

While the first four home, Sponge Bob, Arrogant, Sword In Stone and The Chosen One were getting sweet trips in the first five all the way, Johnathan Parkes was forced to cover the world to get into the race.

Parkes started a long run 1100 metres out, and from the 600 he was flushed four, five and six wide turning in.

The colt was timed over his last 600 metres in 34.7, almost exactly the same time clocked by the second, third and fourth horses who were close to the rails - Arrogant 34.67, Sword In Stone 34.63 and The Chosen One 34.66.

To get within 4.9 lengths of the winner was a very good effort given he gave away at least that ground coursing so wide and the first four round the home turn were the first four home.

While Lincoln Falls still slugged it out, pipping stablemate Lincoln Sky a nose, Parkes acknowledged he wilted close to the line.

Lincoln Falls with trainer Lisa Latta on Saturday, nails and hood in matching stable purple.“But he was entitled to as I had to ask him to make his run much too early and he was flushed very wide.’’

The run confirmed trainer Lisa Latta’s suspicion that while Lincoln Falls has a devastating sprint, it is a short one of about 200 metres.

“To get the derby distance (2400 metres) we need a good draw and a cosy run, closer to the speed.’’

Lincoln Falls won’t race again before the derby on March 2, while stablemate Platinum Invador will have his final lead-up in next week’s Avondale Guineas at Ellerslie.

Lincoln Sky is not nominated for the derby and will instead concentrate on good stakes at Awapuni and Trentham next month.

Lincoln Sky gained a solid pass mark yesterday from rider Jonathan Riddell.

“I got pushed down to the inside and got stuck in there but he went well and he’s going to be all right.’’