Signed up one day, winners the next - the joy of being a Lincoln Farms partner

The unique appeal of Lincoln Farms’ special partnerships was underlined in no uncertain terms when Commander Lincoln scored on debut at Cambridge tonight.

Toasting the three-year-old’s success were eight different parties who were registered as partners only the day before the race.

Lincoln Farms has a policy of not putting people into its partnerhips until their horses have shown they have the ability to win races.

And it’s only been in the last month that Commander Lincoln has stepped up, two years after he was bought for $90,000 as a yearling at Karaka.

And, incredibly, taking advantage of another unmatched perk, all eight individuals and groups who now race Commander Lincoln with Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street were moved into the horse at no cost because their previous charges disappointed.

When Major Grace and Whiz On Bye failed to win and were sold, in came the all women Excell Syndicate, the Jaming Syndicate, ATC steward Pat Gubb, Lance Myocevich, Steve Beckett, Kevin Bell, Margaret Rabbitt and the Athenry Syndicate.

It’s a deal you can be sure is unmatched anywhere else in the world and sees business manager Ian Middleton having to juggle plenty of balls at times. But when trainer Ray Green announced to Middleton recently that Commander Lincoln had finally turned the corner, the partnership was struck.

“He’s taken time to strengthen up but I told Ian I thought he’d be a good chance tonight. But it’s only in the last month that he’s come to it, training and trialling well.”

Zachary Butcher brings Commander Lincoln back to scale. PHOTO: Chanelle Lawson.Green was impressed by the courage Commander Lincoln showed tonight after looking to be out of play mid-race.

Depsite being pushed down to the markers early, and locked up four deep, driver Zachary Butcher managed to force his way out and get into the three wide train.

“He got sucked into it nicely but really hung tough up the straight. I thought it was a really good run. Not many win first up and he did it well.”

Green revealed while Street paid $90,000 for Commander Lincoln, he was only on their reserve list that year.

“He was a nice type but wasn’t one of our primo picks even though we were looking at him.”

Street had plenty of reasons to want another of the tribe of American Ideals bred by Woodlands Stud out of the Presidential Ball mare Readallaboutit.

“He’s the third full brother we’ve had,” Green said.
“The first was (My) Hard Copy, who Debbie and I sold and went on to win $1.2 million, obviously inspiring Woodlands to stay with the same stallion.”

Their next, The Informant, didn’t make the grade and never raced.

But also out of the mare came My Carbon Copy (16 wins), Copy N Pace (7 wins), (Our) Front Page (6 wins) and Press Release (1 win from only two starts).

“In spite of his winning tonight he’s still a work in progress,” Green said. “He’ll get stronger and will hopefully go on with it now.”

Lincoln River (Andre Poutama) strides clear of stablemate Next To Me (third). PHOTO: Chanelle Lawson.Feature races next

Lincoln River, who also scored for Lincoln Farms tonight, will be given his chance at feature three-year-old races at Auckland in the next few weeks.

Dropping back from racing the best three-year-olds in last week’s Alabar Classic, Lincoln River had little trouble capitalising on a good trip to score by three-quarters of a length in 2:41.8 for the 2200 metres.

Green will now add Lincoln River to his two other candidates, Neptune and Colonel Lincoln, when nominations go in for the $22,000 Sires Stakes heat on March 17 and $135,000 Northern Derby on March 24.

Part-owners David Turner, left, and Phil Kelly greet Lincoln River after his win. PHOTO: Chanelle Lawson.“You can’t mention Lincoln River in the same breath as Merlin or the two who dominated the other night, Sherlock and Son Of Mac, but if you’re not in, you can’t win. You get one shot at these three-year-old features and we’ve upset in them before.”

In 2004, Badlands Bute bagged the Great Northern Derby, paying $43, and in 2009, Sir Lincoln surprised with a $22 win in the Sires’ Stakes Final at Addington.

“We’ll chuck him in and see how he fares. I wouldn’t label him a superstar but he could lob into the money because he’s very honest, a real tradesman.”