Lincoln Road
Singapore Turf Club
| Trainer Shane Baertschiger's promising Polytrack sprinter Lincoln Road (NZ) kept his unblemished record going when he recorded his fifth win in a row on Sunday, even if it was tougher than expected. Caught three to four wide for most of the way and overracing a touch, the Swiss Ace four-year-old still cornered like he was jogging with regular partner John Powell having a lapful of horse. But David Hill's Secret Mission (Wong Chin Chuen) proved to be a thorn in his side when he came back with a second wind at the 200m. For a second, it looked like he would succeed in ending Lincoln's Road's perfect run, but in the last couple of hops, Lincoln Road was able to preserve a neck advantage on the line. Lincoln Road never really gave Baertschiger or Powell any anxious moments though he was caught on a limb in the early stages of the race, but did give them some doubts when Secret Mission rallied again on the rails. "He was three to four deep and overracing but that was because JP was trying to ease him back," said Baertschiger. "The other horse had a fight in him, but he had only 52.5kgs while mine had 57kgs, but I couldn't be happier with that run. He's won five from five and he's done a great job. "I think he's come on since we put the blinkers on him. We've thrown him in at the deep end and he's answered the question every time. "He's a bit quirky around the stable but he is really switched on on raceday. I have spotted a Kranji Stakes A race over 1100m for him in three weeks' time. "I will keep him on Polytrack for now, but I have no reason not to believe he can't go over 1200m one day. It's only because there were no 1200m race on the programme for him." Powell, who has partnered the New Zealand-based Lincoln Farms Stable-owned galloper at four of his five wins, said the gelding had simply exceeded his expectations since he landed at Baertschiger's yard. "He's done a great job since he came from New Zealand," said the Australian jockey. "He was three to four deep and was overracing a touch but to his credit, he fought on very well. "You can't fault what he's done up to now. Today, I just tried to ride him where he was comfortable in the first couple. "I tried to put him behind Rueven (Ravindra on Exceed Express) and drag him back, but he was caught wide and I just had to stay there and wait for the straight. "He was travelling very well, but the tough trip took something away from him. He didn't quite put it away the way I thought he would and I even thought the other horse would beat us, but luckily, he had something left up his sleeve for the last bit." With that fifth successive win, Lincoln Road has now amassed more that $175,000 in stakes earnings for his connections. He was a $55,000 purchase from the draft of Westbury Stud at the 2013 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Sale. |