Sticky track conditions the only query with Lincoln King at Awapuni on Saturday

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.’’