Lincoln Town bids farewell in style and joins Fury and Green on a flight to Australia

Lincoln Town signed off his New Zealand career in the best possible way when he broke his maiden duck at Hastings on Wednesday.

But the winning stake of $5400 only served to underline why Lincoln Farms is putting him on a plane to Australia on Sunday, along with Lincoln Fury and Lincoln Green.

The trio are bound for Queensland where they will join their former stablemate Lincoln Sky at the Beaudesert stable of Ben Ahrens.

Lincoln Farms’ business manager Ian Middleton said the economics of the decision were a no-brainer.

“These horses are running round in mid-week races for $10,000 stakes when they can be in $20,000 to $30,000 races in the same grade over there.

“It’s the perfect place for horses like Lincoln Town as the strength of the Australian stayers is below New Zealand.”

Lincoln Town has his rivals well covered at the finish. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images.Trying a last-ditch experiment, trainer Lisa Latta stepped Lincoln Town up from 1400 metres straight to 2100 metres yesterday.

Being by Tavistock, and with a grinding one-pace style, Latta always suspected he would be best at middle distances.

And so it proved as Jonathan Riddell rode the perfect race, in behind the speed, presenting the horse on the turn and keeping him going to score a one and a quarter length win over Vineyard McPhee.

“Ben Ahrens has a small stable and is strategically placed, only an hour from all the major tracks like Doomben, Eagle Farm and the Gold Coast so he has far more races to choose from.

“And if we need to move them on we can, whereas over here five-year-old geldings are only good for hacks.”

Middleton said Lincoln Farms had been pleased with the way Ahrens has handled Lincoln Sky, who has made a comeback from injury and earned $14,700 in seven starts from two seconds and a third. He is nearly ready to go again after a break, winning a (two-horse) trial at Deagon on Tuesday.

“Each of these horses has shown ability and the stakes offered in Queensland for their grade are far superior to those offered here.”

Lincoln Town leaves with a record of one win and six placings from 14 starts for stakes of $15,550, Lincoln Green has won two of nine starts for $20,960 and Lincoln Fury two of 18 for $21,650.