Lincoln King and Danielle Johnson - a winning combination last start at Matamata. PHOO: Trish Dunell.
Stephen: Lincoln King’s going great guns and will be hard to beat at Te Rapa on Saturday
By Barry Lichter • 22 October 2020
Trainer Stephen Marsh fully expects Lincoln King to go close in Saturday’s $32,500 Te Awamutu Cup at Te Rapa and justify making an $8000 late payment for next month’s $250,000 New Zealand Cup.
Lincoln King, who has opened a clear $3.60 favourite for Saturday, looked all over a 3200 metre type when he rocketed home to win his last start at Matamata over 2000 metres.
And Marsh says judging by the way he has trained on, he will be hard to beat again, this time over 2100 metres.
“He’s going great guns and I can’t see why he couldn’t win again.
“I’d certainly like to see him race well enough to justify the late nomination fee. I don’t want to see him run ninth and leave us scratching our heads.”
Marsh says Saturday’s field is no more than a run of the mill Saturday event, with Steven James ($6) and Robusto ($7) closest to him in the market.
“This run will top him off nicely so he’s ready for the 2500 metres of the Metropolitan on the first day at Riccarton and that run will top him off for the 3200 metres of the cup, which looks a perfect race for him.
“It’s a nice, little programme. His first couple of runs have been good and they’ve been close to home so he hasn’t had any long trips. And he can fly down to Riccarton.”
Marsh says as a six-year-old Lincoln King has really matured.
“He looks a few better horse and he’s been faultless this time in. He should keep improving and I’m really looking forward to him racing down in Christchurch.’’
Winning Matamata rider Danielle Johnson has the mount again on Saturday.
More news in Gallops
Hawk will need the run but don’t poo-poo the form from the Castlepoint Beach races
Visor blinkers switch on Lincoln King in hard-fought first hurdles win at Ballarat
Promising pair extend picket fence form lines but soon to go into winter quarters
Atta boy Billy, your timing to erase the recent pain was brilliant - and so was Opie’s
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Lisa’s comments
Thursday at Otaki
Race 7: Lincoln Falls
4.23pm
“I thought it was a great run at Otaki where he was beaten on the line coming off a one week back-up. He sets up a lot nicer here with 12 days between races. He came through that last run really well and drops down to 53kg. Ace Lawson-Carroll should be able to get into a nice position from the six draw and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him right in the finish again.”
Lisa’s comments
Saturday at Wanganui
Race 2: Lincoln’s Kruz
12.45pm
“ I thought he was very gallant last start finishing fifth on a heavy track, which we know doesn’t suit him. We should be running on a track in the soft range on Saturday which I think will play into his favour. He is going to need a touch of luck from the nine draw, but this is certainly the weakest field he has come up against for some time. Ace Lawson-Carroll will ride claiming 2kg.”