Stephen: Lincoln King can give a fair bit of cheek stepping up over ground at Matamata

Lincoln King could be set for the $100,000 Counties Cup (2100m) on November 21 if he continues to please trainer Stephen Marsh.

Lincoln King ($19 and $5) tackles open company at Matamata on Saturday but, even though opposed by some useful types, Marsh doesn’t believe he will be disgraced.

“I really liked his first-up run and the step up to 2000 metres is perfect for him now,” says Marsh.

Lincoln King beat only four home when resuming at Ellerslie on September 26 but he was basically run off his feet over 1600 metres.

Second last at the 800, rider Ashvin Goindasamy began a wide run from the 600, forced first three, four then five and six wide turning for home.

In closing within seven lengths of winner Lord Sibford, Lincoln King actually recorded the third fastest last 800 in the field, clocked at 45.94. His final 200 metres of 11.93 was the fourth fastest in the race.

“He’s nicely drawn in four, has Danielle Johnson on, and should tuck in behind the field, midfield-ish. I think he’ll race very well.

“He’ll obviously take natural improvement out of the run because it’s his first over 2000 this time in, and he’s only had one run, but I still think he’ll give a fair bit of cheek.

“We’ll see how he goes, and how he comes through the run, but a nice little goal for him could be the Counties Cup.”

Lincoln King is up against Wellington Cup runner-up The Good Fight, who was just nosed out of the recent Whangarei Cup and Taupo winner Steven James, but he showed last campaign that he is on an upward trajectory.

Last January, after running a close fifth in the Dunstan Stayers Final (2400m) he beat Scaglioni over 2100 metres at Ellerslie, his fourth win from only 13 starts.

He has won twice at 2100 metres and twice at 2200 metres, on good and dead tracks, and likes to come with big, late finishes.