Lincoln King (9) powers home for a close fourth behind Robusto in last week’s Metropolitan. PHOTO: Ajay Berry/Race Images.
Fingers crossed for better luck this time with New Zealand Cup co-favourite Lincoln King
By Barry Lichter • 13 November 2020
Lincoln Farms lines up another favourite in a New Zealand Cup on Saturday with trainer Stephen Marsh hoping Lincoln King gets more luck than Copy That had in Tuesday’s harness equivalent.
But while Copy That fell victim to an atrocious unfair start in the New Zealand Trotting Cup, Marsh doesn’t believe Lincoln King’s wide gate will affect him in Saturday’s $250,000 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup at Riccarton.
Lincoln King drew 18 in the 3200 metre test but should start closer to 13 after the ballots come out, an alley which doesn’t worry Marsh.
“I don’t think that’s too bad a draw over two miles. They get a good start up the 1200 metre chute and the inside might also be a bit worn after the first two days.”
Lincoln King is also a back runner, best when allowed to find his feet and switch off, an attribute which Marsh believes will take him close to winning.
“His temperament is ideal for a 3200 metre horse,” says Marsh. “The horse hasn’t done a thing wrong since he’s been down there. He settled in great but with his temperament he was always going to.
“I wouldn’t change a thing about him.”
Marsh was rapt with the way Lincoln King found the line for Darryl Bradley on the first day, finishing a close fourth, within 1.2 lengths of Metropolitan winner Robusto.
The finish he turned on from five back on the inner was exactly what he wanted to see over 2500 metres with just two half heads separating runner-up Who Dares Wins, The Good Fight and Lincoln King.
Lincoln King’s run was the eye-catcher of the race as he was credited with the second fastest last 800 metres and the fastest last 600 metres, 34.2, and 400 metres, 23.7.
Hot jock Danielle Johnson is back on Lincoln King. She has ridden 60 winners this season and leads the premiership by 35.In-form premiership leader Danielle Johnson takes the reins on Saturday.
“Darryl rode the horse well last Saturday but Danielle knows him really well.”
Marsh won’t be blaming track conditions if Lincoln King fails in the cup.
The going was a dead 4 last Saturday and, while the track was a slow 7 on Wednesday, it was already back to a dead 6 this morning with fine weather forecast until raceday.
“He doesn’t seem to mind too much what the conditions are.”
While it’s not in Marsh’s nature to label Lincoln King, he says the horse will “go very well” in what is an even field.
Marsh would level the New Zealand Cup score with his father Bruce should he take the prize after Karaoke’s win in 1993. Being a part-owner, he would also share in the $135,000 winner’s purse.
Lincoln King’s other owners have also yet to drink wine out of the New Zealand Cup - but Ian Middleton, John and Lynne Street and Wellfield Lodge’s Bill Gleeson will be there cheering on Saturday.
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Lisa’s comments
Wednesday at Woodville
Race 10: Lincoln Towers
4.37pm
“I’m hoping the rain stays away as it’s not an overly strong field and we have Jonathan Riddell back on. We will look to get a bit of cover and see if he can finish it off. His work has been really good, and I could not be happier with him. He looks fantastic and is a really happy horse. The changes we have made to him and his routine have made a huge difference so hopefully he can reflect this on raceday as he is at the stage where he needs to show something.”