The photo finish camera shows Johnathan Parkes taking hold of Lincoln Falls as he is sandwiched just short of the line.
Lincoln Falls excellent - and let’s be frank, it wasn’t Parkes’ best ride
By Barry Lichter • 13 January 2019
Lincoln Falls might have run only fifth in Saturday’s $225,000 Levin Classic at Trentham but the enormity of his run was reflected on the clock.
In a packed finish Lincoln Falls finished just 1.4 lengths from the winner Madison County in the Group I 1600 metre feature, despite covering the most ground in the race.
Despite a fierce bias against back runners, Latta instructed rider Johnathan Parkes to “ride the horse where he landed.’’
And where he landed ended up being last after the colt jumped awkwardly and settled 10 lengths from the leader Espresso Martini.
Still third last 600 metres from home, Parkes asked the horse to sprint up and he was caught four and five wide on the turn.
Lincoln Falls tried to sustain his long run but came to the end of it 100 metres out.
Lisa Latta … “I thought he went a touch too soon.”“I thought he went a touch too soon,’’ says Latta.
“The others came from the back and, if he’d sat until he got round the bend, he’d have got a track into the race and could have come with one sprint.
“There was a real bias to the inside and he came too wide.’’
Despite covering so much extra ground over the last 600 metres, Lincoln Falls’ time of 33.07 was just two hundredths of a second slower than winner Madison County whose rider Matthew Cameron saved valuable ground closer in round the turn.
The fastest 600 metres in the race of 32.79 was recorded by fourth-placed More Wonder who came from behind Lincoln Falls.
“But if Parkesy had waited it might have been him getting over the top like that.”
Lincoln Falls was also the victim of a late sandwich - when Hypnos ran out and More Wonder ran in - but it made no difference to the result, being only a couple of strides off the post.
Latta says Lincoln Falls is now ready for more ground which he will get in his next start, the $100,000 Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa on February 9.
“I just hope he gets a good draw, jumps, and puts himself right there because he relaxes well and should run a strong 2000 metres.’’
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Lisa’s comments
Saturday at Otaki
Race 3: Platinum Tyche
1:19pm
“I couldn’t be happier with her work and she has certainly improved from her first-up run when she did not have all favours. I don’t think it’s the strongest of fields and the forecast is looking good so I think she will get her chance to bounce back to winning form. Bruno Queiroz rides from gate four.”
Race 5: Platinum Attack
2:29pm
“He drew badly in 19 but they will start only 14 so he will come in to 13 or 14. The positive is there is good speed in the race with Shoes, Party Rocking and Idyllic who all go forward. I couldn’t be happier with him - his final work on Wednesday morning on the course proper was as strong as ever. He still has his summer coat and is looking fantastic. It’s a similar field to the one he beat last start at Trentham and Bruno Queiroz just needs to find some luck in the running.”