The Lisa Latta-trained three-year-old Lincoln Falls looks to have a bright
future after an impressive debut performance at Woodville. Ridden by Johnathan Parkes, the colt by Dundeel came from back and wide in the Braeside Farm 1100m to prove too strong for his rivals.
Lincoln Falls had impressed in two trials wins heading into Friday's maiden victory and holds a nomination for the Group I Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in November.
"He's got a tonne of improvement in him," Latta said. "We've never really had to let his head go on the track or at the trials, so it is always a bit of a worry heading into raceday.
"Johnathan did the right thing going back, and I have to admit I was a little bit worried at the 600m how relaxed he was, but he will learn a lot from that and really go ahead.
"He holds a nomination for the 2000 Guineas, but we will just take him along lightly at the moment. There is a special conditions maiden at Hastings on the last day of their carnival and something like that might be a soft option for him."
A graduate of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, Lincoln Falls was sold by JK Farm on behalf of Nearco Stud for $200,000 to Lincoln Farms Bloodstock.
He is the second winner from stakes-winning Giant's Causeway (USA) mare Causeway Queen, a half-sister to Group III winner Solar Charged , the dam of glamour filly Sunlight.
Lincoln Falls has now shortened with TAB bookmakers to a $12 second-favourite for the Group I Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) behind
Sword of Osman.
Bjorn Baker produced the second winner for Dundeel with three year-old filly
Miss Einstein a dominant winner of the 1200 metre maiden with Jason Collett on
board. A $170,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Newhaven Park draft for Bjorn Baker Racing/Blandford Bloodstock, Miss Einstein (image Steve Hart) is the first winner for Simply Brilliant, a Starcraft mare from the family of Group I Victoria Derby winner Nothin' Leica Dane.
Dundeel has made an encouraging start to the new season with Lincoln Falls and Miss Einstein adding to a growing list of promising three year-olds. The champion son of High Chaparral (IRE) stands at Arrowfield at a fee of $24,750.
