Age no barrier for veteran pair

20 August 2026 | HRNSW MEDIA | PAUL COURTS
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Lincoln Skipper winning at Bathurst on Wednesday night.

Lincoln Skipper winning at Bathurst on Wednesday night. Photo by Coffee Photography Framing

AGE is proving no obstacle for veteran pair John Davis and Lincoln Skipper.
In fact, according to the 80-year-old horseman, at least one of them is still in their prime.
Recently returning from another lengthy injury-enforced spell, Lincoln Skipper registered his second win from four starts along the comeback trail by proving too good for his younger rivals in Bathurst last night.
In a sensational training performance, the 10-year-old scored first-up after a 10-month absence before registering a handy third and a luckless unplaced performance.
Lincoln Skipper only managed one start last season - for a win - following 20 months on the sidelines.
"He's still going as good as, if not better, than ever," Davis said. "If he stays this healthy, there is no reason why he won't keep going next season as well.
"Caduceus was still racing at the best level as an old horse!"
As for his latest success, Lincoln Skipper led from barrier six before driver Jett Turnbull elected to take a trail behind Beancounter during the middle stages.
Angled into the clear at the top of the home straight, Lincoln Skipper sprinted to a four-and-a-half metre win from the pacemaker, with Butter Cup a metre away third.
"He's a pretty good horse when right," Davis said. "He just keeps hurting himself and losing time away from the race because of it.
"I was going to run him the week after his win last year, but he got down in the box and bowed his tendon.
"Everything is going a lot smoother this time...he's pulled up great from last night and is enjoying his day off."

 

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