Fort Lincoln Charges Late To Win Karaka

Sunday, 30 January 2011 08:15

Australian hopeful Chateauneuf Dupape has finished an unlucky eighth in the Karaka Million at Ellerslie in Auckland won by outsider Fort Lincoln.

With the benefit of a peach of a ride by Jonathan Riddell, Fort Lincoln got up in the last few strides to beat Antonio Lombardo by a nose in the Listed $1 million race restricted to two-year-old graduates of the national yearling sales at Karaka.

The Lee Freedman-trained Chateauneuf Dupape was up with the leaders early but couldn't get a clear run when the charge was on to the winning post.

Winning trainer Lisa Latta said the weekend rain which resulted in a dead track on Sunday benefited her horse.

"We were quietly confident and his work this work has been good," Latta told Trackside TV.

The trainer was pleased staunch stable clients John Street and Lincoln Farms had enjoyed such a big win, while Street told racegoers the winning $550,000 stake would go towards purchases at the Karaka sales which begin tomorrow.

"We are pouring it back into the industry and we love every minute of it," he said.

Gordon Cunningham of Curraghmore Stud sold Fort Lincoln at the sales for $110,000 last year but should get a better payoff when he offers a full brother to the colt, who is out of the Flying Spur mare Belle Toujours, at this week's sales.

Latta said Riddell's ride was brilliant and the jockey, formerly best known for his efforts over jumps, agreed it was one of his better ones.

"I would rather be known as a horseman, than a hurdle jockey or flat jockey," he said before hinting that a training career could be in the offing after he rides Jimmy Choux in the NZ Derby.

Favourite Planet Rock flew home late to grab third off Super Easy, whose stablemate Savabill was fifth.

Earlier, Banchee, who was an unlucky third in last year's Karaka Million, showed she was back to her best with an emphatic win in the $200,000 Karaka 3YO Mile. She was far too good for Icepin and the NSW visitor Miss Confidential,who boxed on solidly for third.

There was success for Australia early in the day when Michael Rodd rode Arakti to win a 2100m event.