Lincoln Sky (Madan Singh) looked headed for better things when winning at just his third start at Otaki. PHOTO: Race Images.
Lincoln Sky shows some spark, lifting hopes he can make a successful comeback
By Barry Lichter • 5 April 2020
Comeback galloper Lincoln Sky gave Beaudesert trainer Ben Ahrens a tiny glimpse of his ability when given a quiet gallop last week.
The Savabeel four-year-old who was sidelined last August with bone chips in a knee, was doing only three-quarter pace over 600 metres, when Ahrens, riding his galloping companion, came up alongside turning for home.
“When I got alongside his quarters he really went for 50 metres and showed a nice turn of foot,” Ahrens said. “It wasn’t what we intended but it’s good to see he’s got a bit of spark there and is willing to pick the bit up and go when challenged by another horse.”
Ahrens was pleased to report the horse came through the run fine, benefitting from many months of rehab with Lincoln Farms’ harness trainer Al Barnes at Marburg.
Lincoln Sky was sent to Australia last June after just eight starts for a win and two placings, trainer Lisa Latta revealing his potential in February when sixth in a very strong Waikato Guineas field, just a nose behind stablemate Lincoln Falls.
X-rays of Lincoln Sky’s right knee showed degeneration and fragmentation of the third carpal bone.But Randwick trainer John Sargent had no sooner got the horse to the races than the morning after his first start he was a “shade noddy” in his off foreleg.
X-rays at the Randwick Equine Centre revealed two bone chips and, on advice from Sargent that the horse was worth continuing with, owners John and Lynne Street gave the okay for surgery.
Under general anaesthesia, bone fragments and associated unhealthy bone and cartilage were removed, before he was sent to Queensland for R and R.
Ahrens says Lincoln Sky, a $180,000 yearling buy, is now only a week away from having some fast work.
“Hopefully in the next month or so we’ll have him up and ready to trial and not long after that we should be looking for somewhere to race.”
Ahrens says the regionalisation of racing in Queensland in response to the COVID-19 outbreak shouldn’t disadvantage Lincoln Sky who it is hoped will make his mark over ground.
More news in Gallops
Lisa: It’s a hot field but Platinum Attack’s not out of it - and the $23 odds are very tasty
Lisa: Attack’s been practising right-handed and can run a cheeky race in the Railway
First the draw now the weather threatens to sabotage Platinum Attack’s Telegraph bid
New rider for Billy as Opie struggles to shed weight - but the money’s still come for him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Lisa’s comments
Friday at Waverley
Race 5: Lincoln Towers
2.58pm
Update: Scratched
“I am really happy with him at the moment, his work has been superb. We ended up injecting his knees and he worked great on the course proper on Tuesday morning. He should be very competitive in a field like this but my biggest concern is how much rain is in the forecast. I would be reluctant to start him if the track got to be really wet as we know he has never gone very well on heavy tracks.”