Lincoln King downs unlucky stablemate Starrybeel in the Wellington Cup. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images
Stephen: Lincoln King terrific and Saturday’s Nathans will have him on song for the Cup
By Barry Lichter • 3 March 2022
Lincoln King is feeling on top of the world and trainer and part-owner Stephen Marsh expects Saturday’s Nathans Memorial run to bring him to his peak for the $500,000 Auckland Cup eight days later.
The final dress rehearsal for the March 13 Ellerslie feature has attracted only four other cup runners and none of the top three favourites but Marsh is not looking for any more than a strong finish from his charge over the 2200 metres.
“He won’t have raced for 35 days since winning the Wellington Cup so this race will bring him on. I expect he’ll get back, find his way to the line, and be right on song for the cup.”
Marsh says while Lincoln King not unexpectedly lightened up a little after his Trentham triumph, after a short break and a week on the water walker he was right back in the zone.
“He’s going terrific, I’m really happy with him. His work has been terrific - I loved his work last Saturday. He really is feeling good, on top of the world.”
With cup winning jockey Craig Grylls suspended, Saturday’s ride goes to 1kg claiming apprentice Joe Kamaruddin, who will bring Lincoln King’s weight down to 57kg.
Kamaruddin is in great form this season, his 42 winners placing him seventh on the jockeys’ premiership.
The following Sunday, under the weight conditions of the Auckland Cup, Lincoln King will drop another kilo to 56kg, the same as Concert Hall and 2kg lighter than topweight Sound in what could hardly be called a vintage field.
“Grylls will be back on the 13th and we’ll be spot on for the two miles.”
Lincoln King has opened $8 equal second favourite on Saturday, with stablemate Starrybeel, behind the $2.30 Baker-Forsman-trained Spirit Of Baz.
Shadow Cup field
(Only 15 horses left in the nominations)
2176 Sound 58
8192 Concert Hall 56
4281 Lincoln King 56
0096 Charred 55
2569 Ember Attack 55
5345 Hit The Road Jack 55
2659 Hurry Cane 55
8098 Joe’s Legacy 55
8677 Roger That 55
2492 Starrybeel 55
2007 Swords Drawn 55
4936 Tarwyn 55
x908 Te Akau Caliburn 55
0225 House Of Cartier 54
8135 Uareastar 53
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Race 5: Billy Lincoln
2.15pm
“He’s drawn beautifully in barrier one with top hoop Kevin Stott to ride and he’s fitter for his three runs back. I think he’ll race very well and is a nice each-way chance. But it’s a very good field - the favouritre Arabian Songbird they think is one out of the box and my other horse Bourbon Empress is also going very well. Put him in your trifectas and first fours. I think he’ll be right there.”