Lincoln Falls on track for NZ Derby

TALENTED three-year-old Lincoln Falls notched his second victory from three starts when successful at Trentham in the Lone Star Petone Premier (1400m).

Ridden by Johnathan Parkes, Lincoln Falls sat just off the leaders before reeling in frontrunner Kahu Rock to win by just over a length.

‘‘He had to work a bit today and it’s always hard to know what to expect on an off track, but he’s donewhat we wanted him to,’’ winning trainer Lisa Latta said.

A son of six-time Group One winner Dundeel, Lincoln Falls will be set for the New Zealand Derby (2400m), at Ellerslie on March 2.

The athletic colt is likely to get his first look at Ellerslie in the Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) on Boxing Day.

‘‘He was just a class ahead of them today— I did like the way he settled off a very slow pace, and he’s travelled up really well,’’ Parkes said.

‘‘I still think he is learning and every time he gets out there the penny is going to drop a little more, but he is a first-class animal and he will go on to bigger and better things.’’

Lincoln Falls was an impressive winner at Woodville on debut before being beaten by a head by Langkawi over 1400m at Hastings in early October.

‘‘He was just feeling his shins a little bit leading into Hastings, so we made the decision to put him aside for three weeks,’’ Latta said.