Two weeks after being edged out by fellow Kiwi-bred galloper Lauding in a tight photo finish at Moonee Valley, Lincoln Rocks turned the tables in the pair’s rematch over the same course and distance in Saturday’s A$80,000 Strathmore Community Bendigo Bank Handicap (2040m).
Previously a two-time winner from nine starts in New Zealand for Lisa Latta, Lincoln Rocks has made a strong start to his Australian career with three wins and two placings from five starts in the colours of OTI Racing. He has earned A$156,680.
Lauding pipped Lincoln Rocks by a nose in their previous meeting on August 24, and a repeat appeared to be on the cards as that pair strode to the front together around the home turn on Saturday.
But this time Lincoln Rocks slowly but surely got the upper hand over Lauding, pulling ahead to win by half a length. Another New Zealand-bred runner, Gentian Blue, flashed home in the final 100m to just edge out Lauding for second.
“I thought ‘not again’ when I saw those two fighting it out again,” said Rob Archibald, who trains Lincoln Rocks in partnership with Annabel Neasham. “But probably that little bit of a weight swing told late in the race.
“I just loved the way he fought it out late. He showed real determination over that final 150m to really dig in and find the line. I thought Mark (Zahra, jockey) gave him a lovely ride.
“I’m just so pleased for the owners. It hasn’t been the most straightforward ride with this horse, they’ve had to be very patient, but just starting to get rewards now.
“We’re just so pleased, the team here at Pakenham have done a great job with him, got him going really well, and hopefully there’s more to come.
“I think we’ve just taken it step by step with him because of the interrupted path we’ve had to now, so we’ll see how he comes through it. He’s done a really good job this time, though. Annabel and the team will sit down and we’ll make a plan on Monday.”
Bred by John and Lynne Street’s Lincoln Farms Bloodstock Ltd, Lincoln Rocks is out of the winning Darci Brahma mare Princess Maryanne, who was retained as a broodmare after she injured a tendon in just her second start in 2017 when showing enormous potential.
