Stephen’s instructions to Lincoln King’s new Wellington Cup jockey: Don’t die wondering

Trainer Stephen Marsh is confident he has the right jockey in Craig Grylls to get the best out of Lincoln King in Saturday’s $300,000 Wellington Cup.

One of two horses contesting the iconic Trentham two-miler for Lincoln Farms, Lincoln King is a solid second favourite at $7 while Platinum Spirit, who just scraped into the field, is one of the outsiders at $31.

With regular hoop Danielle Johnson sidelined by a broken leg, Marsh has chosen Grylls to partner Lincoln King, one of only a few horses in the race with proven form at 3200 metres.

And, ironically, when Lincoln King and Danielle Johnson were pipped a half head in the 2020 New Zealand Cup it was none other than Grylls pumping in the saddle beside her on winner Dragon Storm.

Grylls is riding in peak form and with 56 wins is only three behind premiership leader Lisa Allpress, now also out with a broken ankle.

Marsh, who has enjoyed big race success already with Grylls who rode Crown Prosecutor to an upset win in the 2019 New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie, says he’ll be telling the jockey to not die wondering on Saturday.

“I’d hate to see him flop out, wander round, and come back saying it was a lovely run and he hit the line well.”

Lincoln King has made a bit of a habit of doing precisely that - “sometimes he likes to do his own thing in a race,” says Marsh.

Lincoln King could manage only fourth in the New Zealand Cup last November when he settled near the tail of the field and made a long, searching run wide on the track to be 2.2 lengths from winner Mondorani, one of his toughest rivals again on Saturday.

“I’d love to see him possie up a bit closer as he never over-races.”

From a midfield gate on Saturday, Grylls is perfectly positioned to do just that, and Marsh says with only 56kg, the horse looks well placed to feature.

“The field has fallen right away and could be worse than the New Zealand Cup field.

“I’m very happy with him, he’s eating well and his coat is shining. I couldn’t say anything bad about him.”

Marsh says it’s hard to fault Lincoln King’s lead-up form - he was just beaten in the Taupo Cup fresh-up at 2000 metres and eighth, with a complete forgive run last time at Tauranga over 2100 metres.

“He was meant to go back, get cover, and get to the outside late but he ended up having a hell of a hard run.”

His rookie apprentice had to answer to stewards after shifting out 1700 metres from home then going forward three wide from the 1000 to dispute the pace 400 metres out.

Lincoln King, who finished 2.8 lengths behind winner Wheao, bounced out of the run surprisingly well and Marsh says his recent work has been top shelf.

“He’ll go down to Wellington tomorrow morning and I’m really looking forward to the race. It’s an open affair and it would take a game man to have a bet in it.”

Marsh’s second cup runner Starrybeel has been in good form, including this win at Te Aroha under Michael McNab.Marsh’s second cup runner Starrybeel ($8) could be an even better prospect than Lincoln Farms’ second stringer Platinum Spirit.

“He’s the unknown as he’s never been over two miles. His last run was a bit of a head scratcher but if you can forgive that he’s a Savabeel and his previous form was great.”

Starrybeel never got warm under Niranjan Parmar in the same race as Lincoln King last start but in his previous three runs he finished fourth in the City Of Auckland Cup, second in the Waikato Cup and won a Dunstan qualifier at Te Aroha.

“Michael McNab’s back on this week and he gets on well with the horse.”

McNab is also in great form having ridden 58 winners this season, one behind Allpress.

Trainer Lisa Latta was delighted when Platinum Spirit made the field, saying he deserved his shot at the big race.

“We know he’s a dour stayer and sometimes those are the types who win this race.

“His best runs have been over 2400 and 2500 and I can’t see any reason why the 3200 will be any problem to him.

“He has come through his last start nicely, has trained on well, and strips in great order.”

Platinum Spirit, who lacks a turn of foot, battled away in typically brave fashion at Trentham last Saturday when fifth behind Inmyshadow in the Summer Cup (2400m).

Latta wants to see talented apprentice Taika Yanagida tuck in somewhere from barrier 13 on Saturday to give the horse cover.

“I’m really looking forward to the race.”

3200m form

Lincoln King: Half head 2nd, 4th from three starts

Mondorani: Won only start.

Leaderboard: 3rd in only start behind Mondorani.

Master Fin: Won the 2020 Jericho (3210m) on a heavy 10 at New Plymouth. Has had nine hurdle starts.

Notabadharada: 5th of six in 2021 Stayers’ Cup at Rosehill.

Sulu Sea: Four length 6th in only try behind Mondorani.

Bluey’s Chance: 2nd to Waisake in last year’s Wellington Cup. 2nd last and last in two other attempts. 3rd in the Jericho (3000m).