Jonathan Riddell sticks with Lincoln King after his win on the emerging stayer at Avondale last month.
Sticky track conditions the only query with Lincoln King at Awapuni on Saturday
By Barry Lichter • 17 May 2019
Trainer Stephen Marsh has no doubts Lincoln King has the ability to win at Awapuni on Saturday - but it will all come down to whether he handles what could be a testing track.
Lincoln King steps up to Saturday grade racing after his decisive maiden win at Avondale on April 25, when he came with a big run in the home stretch to win, going away.
But the going was only a dead 5 that day and Marsh is a little hesitant on how he will cope with what looks like being sticky, slow 9 conditions on Saturday.
The closest he has come to wet footing was at Rotorua two starts back when he was desperately unlucky not to win in slow 7 footing.
“He’s handled a few wet tracks in training but until he tries it on Saturday we don’t really know how he will cope.
“But if he cops the track, I expect him to be very competitive. I think he’s an above average stayer and it wouldn’t surprise me if he won, and won well.
“But I’m not going to be judging his ability solely on this one run. I really like what I see but it’s not like I’ve set him for this race. He’s going out for a spell afterwards and he lives down there at Wellfield Lodge so it’s a good final race for him.
“He’s kept improving this time in but next campaign will be his go.’’
Marsh, however, is not dismissing Lincoln King’s chances in the fifth race on Saturday.
“His work has been good, he looks good, he’s drawn a decent alley and he has J K Riddell on board again, who was happy to go down and ride him, so he has a bit in his favour.
“There are a lot of nice horses in the race but he’s one of them.
“Hopefully the track will be all right.’’
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Lisa’s comments
Saturday at Otaki
Race 3: Platinum Tyche
1:19pm
“I couldn’t be happier with her work and she has certainly improved from her first-up run when she did not have all favours. I don’t think it’s the strongest of fields and the forecast is looking good so I think she will get her chance to bounce back to winning form. Bruno Queiroz rides from gate four.”
Race 5: Platinum Attack
2:29pm
“He drew badly in 19 but they will start only 14 so he will come in to 13 or 14. The positive is there is good speed in the race with Shoes, Party Rocking and Idyllic who all go forward. I couldn’t be happier with him - his final work on Wednesday morning on the course proper was as strong as ever. He still has his summer coat and is looking fantastic. It’s a similar field to the one he beat last start at Trentham and Bruno Queiroz just needs to find some luck in the running.”