Stuart McDonald was contemplating his tactics for the three pacers he was due to handle at Gloucester Park on Friday night as he drove a truckload of horses to the course when his hands-free mobile phone tinkled.
The caller was Jemma Hayman, the trainer of smart six-year-old Lincoln River, a warm favourite for race two, the $21,000 Australian Pacing Gold Pace over 2130m.
“Jemma told me that Abbey Vidovich was unwell and unable to drive at the meeting and asked me if I would like to jump on,” said McDonald. “I was quite happy to oblige and found that Lincoln River, a horse I had not driven before, was a really nice pacer.
“He felt like he has a lot of ability and a lot of high speed, and he should take the step up to the next grade.”
Lincoln River, the $1.60 favourite, began smartly from barrier three but was beaten for early speed by the polemarker Xcite Me ($7) and the $61 outsider Louie Lebeau, leaving McDonald quite content to take a perfect trail in the one-out and one-back position.
McDonald eased Lincoln River three wide approaching the turn into the back straight in the final lap and the gelding burst to the front and careered away to win by eight lengths from $126 outsider Follow Rocknroll, who fought on well from eighth at the bell.
Lincoln River sprinted over the final 400m sections in 28.2sec. and 27.8sec. and rated 1.55.5 as he improved his record to 76 starts for ten wins, 19 placings and $148,634 in stakes. He has raced eight times in WA for three wins and two seconds and looks set for many more successes. He is by Bettors Delight and is out of New Zealand mare Ideal Belle, who earned $204,316 from seven wins and 13 placings from just 34 starts.
“I had plans of leading, but he didn’t quite show the speed I wanted from him” explained McDonald. “And I wasn’t going to puy my eggs in one basket by trying to lead.
“I knew he could win from any other position, so I was happy to let them go and hold my spot. I went to make a mid-race move, but the breeze wasn’t there, so I sat back down and waited until the 600m. And when I pulled out, I heard the leader (Xcite Me) and the breeze horse (Louie Lebeau) lock wheels. So, I let Lincoln River loose, and he dashed away.”
Later in the program another horse who was due to be driven by Vidovich was successful, with Gary Hall jnr filling in and driving the Bob Mellsop-trained $2.90 favourite Girl Of Brightness to victory in a slowly-run Supporting Womencan Pace over 2130m.
