Top marks to Nizar as overdue Lincoln Moonlight eclipses his rivals at Kranji

Trainer Shane Baertschiger is expecting Lincoln Moonlight to maintain his good form in Singapore now that he has broken through for his maiden win.

The Alamosa four-year-old struck at start nine on Sunday night, everything finally going perfectly to plan.

Lincoln Moonlight was three wide early from his wide gate but four kilo claiming apprentice Mohammed Nizar was able to ease him back into the perfect one-out one-back possie.

And while he was standing up the two leaders a couple of lengths turning for home, it was apparent a long way out that he was finishing the best.

And at the line Lincoln Moonlight had sailed away by three and a half lengths, in a display that gave Baertschiger confidence he can now go on with the job.

“If you go back through his form he’s been beaten by some good horses who have gone on to better things.

Shane Baertschiger … Lincoln Moonlight hasn’t had much luck.“And he hasn’t had much luck - drawing wide in each of his last five starts.”

Baertschiger believes Lincoln Moonlight is best served at shorter trips, like Sunday night’s 1100 metres, in the meantime.

“He gets a bit keen when I step him up but deeper into his preparation we’ll try him over more ground.

“And I’ll keep him to the polytrack for now as he’s going so well on it.”

Baertschiger was pleased for Nizar who followed his instructions to the letter to register only the fourth win of his career.

Lincoln Moonlight, who beat Mr Alfonso and Make U Famous, is likely to line up again in three to four weeks.

His earnings from nine starts now stand at S$52,886.

Lincoln Moonlight out by three and a half lengths at the line. PHOTO: TriPeaksImagery.