Stephen: Roomy Riccarton made to order for progressive stayer Lincoln King

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh loaded Lincoln King onto a float bound for Auckland airport this morning full of confidence that he can make his mark at Riccarton during cup week.

The improving stayer flies south this afternoon to Christchurch where he will line up in Saturday’s $75,000 Metropolitan Trophy (2500m), a race expected to fit him ideally for the following week’s $250,000 New Zealand Cup (3200m).

“He’s in great order,” said Marsh. “He’s worked up very well leading into this race.

Darryl Bradley after notching his 100th black type win on Mohaka in the Feilding Gold Cup.“He’s drawn a bit wide on Saturday, so he’ll get back a bit, but I expect to see him hitting the line well and that will set him up perfectly for the cup. He relaxes so well the two miles will be no worry for him.”

Lincoln King, who is by 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, turned in an encouraging last start second at Te Rapa where he settled fourth last over 2100 metres and, despite Robusto setting a slow pace and only sprinting home, still savaged the line late.

Lincoln King, who saved crucial ground through a rails hugging ride by Danielle Johnson, was timed to run the fastest last 800 metres (46.41), 600 metres (34.63) and 400 metres (22.99) in the race.

And while he faces Robusto again on Saturday he meets the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained mare on 2kg better terms, Lincoln King dropping from 58.5kg to only 53kg.

Milestone setting jockey Darryl Bradley takes over from Johnson on Saturday, just a week after notching his 100th Group or Listed win when he turned in a masterful front-running ride on Mohaka in the Feilding Gold Cup at Awapuni.

Marsh expects Bradley, 54, who is the eighth leading jockey of all time in New Zealand with 1811 wins, to quickly discover how well Lincoln King settles in the running.

And he believes the horse will really come into his own on the big Riccarton track with its 400 metre home straight.

In a relatively even field, Lincoln King has opened the $5.50 second favourite behind fellow Cambridge stayer Wellington Cup runner-up The Good Fight ($5) with Beauty Star, William Wallace and Robusto sharing the third line on $8.

Lincoln Farms’ second string Kamanda Lincoln ($21) is second on the ballot and if he doesn’t make the field will run in race seven, a rating 74 event over 2000 metres.