Lincoln King in tough field at Flemington and Platinum Spirit primed for hurdle debut

Victorian trainer Kathryn Durden will line up two horses for Lincoln Farms this weekend - Lincoln King one of the outsiders in Saturday’s A$175,000 Deane Lester Flemington Cup (2800m) and Platinum Spirit one of a few chances when he debuts over hurdles at Pakenham on Sunday.

Lincoln King has been solid in two starts across the Tasman, running a fifth and a fourth, pleasing Durden, and netting A$12,000 in prizemoney.

And while he could claim to have been a little unlucky in the A$150,000 Banjo Patterson (2600m) at his last start on the course, held up at a crucial stage, he will need to lift a notch to feature on Saturday.

“I was very happy with him last time, he ran on well,” Durden said. “It’s a very competitive field on Saturday but he should run well again. The extra 200 metres will suit him, though it will suit some of the others as well.”

Lincoln King, a Wellington Cup winner over 3200 metres in New Zealand, is unwanted in the betting in Australia, bookies rating him the 10th elect in a field of 12 at $27 behind the favourite Mostly Cloudy ($2.70).

But he was only five and a half lengths from Banjo Patterson winner Mimi’s Award and Durden reports he has trained on well in the interim.

Lincoln King did some schooling before he left Stephen Marsh’s stable earlier in the year.“He is nice and bright and has continued to work and eat well since his hurdle trial.”

Lincoln King got the first leg of his jumping ticket at Traralgon on July 5, ridden quietly in a distant fourth before reeling in two runners after the last fence to finish second.

“He jumped really well in his trial but has to do another trial before he’s qualified.”

Platinum Spirit, a four-race winner on the flat who has earned an incredible A$102,940 in 15 Australian starts, jumped at Traralgon the same day as Lincoln King, finishing third in a heat run six seconds slower.

That trial, his second over fences, was proficient enough for him to race this weekend, Durden said.

“He has been jumping nicely. He’s been here longer than Lincoln King so is more experienced over fences.”

Will Gordon, well known to Kiwis after riding 28 winners in New Zealand between 2016 and 2018, takes the mount on Sunday when Platinum Spirit faces a field of similar inexperience.

Only three of his six rivals have raced over fences. Former Kiwi That’s Incranibull ran third for Patrick Payne on his jumps debut at Sale in June and Saint Eustace and another ex Kiwi Three Over Two have been unplaced in two starts.

Best of the trialists has been the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Cadre Du Noir, a former Listed Tatts Cup winner, who has won and finished second in his two outings.

Jumps maestro Eric Musgrove is represented by El Campeon, who jumped boldly when he ran third in Lincoln King’s heat at Traralgon.

Lincoln King races at 5pm NZ time at Flemington on Saturday.Platinum Spirit races at 2.05pm NZ time at Pakenham on Sunday.