Lincoln King set for Australian Hurdle after eye-catching late burst at Warrnambool

Lincoln King’s big finish in Thursday’s Champion Novice Hurdle at Warrnambool has earned him a tilt at the A$125,000 Australian Hurdle at Sandown next month.

Trainer Kathryn Durden was thrilled to see Lincoln King sweep home from the rear on the home turn to run second to hot favourite Affluential.

“It was a very competitive race and he did well after being held up for a run,” Durden said.

Beautifully handled in the trail by jockey Aaron Lynch, Lincoln King jumped on the back of a rival and was shuffled back at the 600, appearing to be under heavy pressure.

Lincoln King, third from left, has many lengths to make up at the top of the home straight while all the action is up front as the clerk of the course tries to corral the riderless Abreed.“It was a sit and sprint and he ended up having to be ridden up, but I thought he ran on very well.”

Durden said Lynch liked the way the rapidly improving jumper responded, getting within two and a quarter lengths of the brother to Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant in just his third hurdle start.

Lynch indicated he is keen to stay with Lincoln King for his big assignment on June 2 where the extra 700 metres of the 3900 metre Australian Hurdle will really suit him.

“It’s another step-up for him. You never know how they’ll go until you try them but he has flat ability and he stays.”

Lincoln King, winner of the 2022 Wellington Cup when trained in New Zealand by Stephen Marsh, could have one more run before the Sandown test, in a $50,000 hurdle at Casterton on May 19.

”We’ll see how he is in a few days and decide whether he needs another one, or not.”

Another option was to trial at Sandown to give the horse a look at the fences he’ll tackle next month.