The Lincoln Meeting

 As the start of the flat season looms ahead, we have a look into the history of the Lincoln meeting. 

The meeting initially started at Lincoln's racecourse which was open from 1773 to 1964. A year after the racecourse shut the meeting relocated to Doncaster. 

The racecourse shut after the Betting Levy Board stopped financially supporting them and regardless of council pleas the closure still happened. 

Lincoln racecourse first ran the Lincoln Handicap in 1849 and since then the name has altered starting as the Lincolnshire Handicap then going to the Lincoln Spring Handicap before changing to the name we are familiar with now. The race itself has changed a huge amount going from a 2 mile race to a 1 mile in 1855. Allegedly the Lincoln Handicap had the biggest field ever in 1948 with 58 horses running. 

Since the meeting began there's been a handful of occasions where the meeting was run in different places like Lingfield in 1961, Pontefract 1942-1944, Redcar in 2006 and Newcastle in 2007. The more recent relocations were a result of redevelopment work at the normal course. 

Despite,  Lincoln racecourse shutting in 1964 the Grand Stand and the rails are still up and there have been multiple rumours over the past couple of years about it reopening to no avail. 

The two-day meeting has grown to new a scale with there now being other huge races run like the Brocklesby and the Doncaster Mile Stakes. The entries will be made today for the first day of the meeting; let's hope to see some new stars for the start of the flat season. 

Doncaster races

The glorious weather had the ground drying out as the day went on but this was not reflected in the runners. There was some surprises especially in the form of Sweet Promise a 25/1 winner. A jockey to mention is the Australian, Kerrin McEvoy, who seems to be doing consistently well since arriving in Britain, his 23% strike rate shows this. Another hot jockey is Jason Hart who followed up his recent Curragh win with a win at Doncaster yesterday.

The second race had the heavily backed Sushi Power go to favourite and lead in the early stages. Sushi Power, Divine Covey and Go Well Spicy tracked him for the first furlong before Go Well Spicy took the lead. Sabaaya was not far off the pace but Capp never got into the running. Go Well Spicy was allowed to dictate for the majority of the race. At two furlongs out headway was made by Divine Covey, Sabaaya. Sushi Power due to her running for the first time was very green and weakened over two furlongs out. At one furlong out Go Well Spicy was ridden along being chased by Devine Covey and Sabbaya. In the final furlong Divine Covey was running short of room and kept on at the same pace as did Sabaaya. Go Well Spicy was uncatchable eventually going well clear of the rest of the field. First was Go Well Spicy by 2 1/4 lengths, second was Divine Covey by 3 1/2 lengths and third Sabaaya by 4 1/2 lengths. The field was well drawn out.

The 3:50 had the field for majority of the race bunched together, the lead was quickly taken up by Fox Leicester, followed by House Of Kings, Ginger Fox and Emirates Knight close up. Archaeology and Global Gift were held up. At three furlongs out Global Gift, Ginger Fox, House Of Kings moved up the field. Fox Leicester was being pushed. Two furlongs out Emirates Knight and House Of Kings were pushed to continue. One furlong out had Ginger Fox take the lead narrowly over Global Gift. The final furlong had the lead change to Global Gift who went well clear yet Ginger Fox had no more to give unlike the one paced Emirates Knight and House Of Kings. Archaeology quickly fell out of contention. Global Gift went on to win by 1 1/2 lengths, second Ginger Fox by 2 1/2 lengths, third Emirates Knight by a neck.

Again I'm unsure when my next blog will be, have a look at my twitter to find out.

Day 2 Lincoln (Family fun day)- Sunday 31st March 2019

The ground had changed so much since declaring runners which resulted in 24 horses being non-runners but this did not stop Silvestre De Sousa having a treble on the day. The change in weather was also beneficial as it was Wild West Family Fun with fairground rides, glitter face paint and outdoor fun. Remarkably, unlike day one, there was some huge outsiders making it difficult to predict which horses would win. 

The second race had Fox Champion leading the race with Cool Exhibit, Guiding Spirit and Franz Kafta not far behind. Fox Champion was ridden along, with two furlongs to go Franz Kafka made headway alongside Kodi King and Country. The final stages were messy with a few being squashed. This did not effect Fox Champion as he went on to win by 1/2 a length with Franz Kafka second and Cool Exhibit 4 lengths behind as he only managed to maintain the same pace. 

The 4:20 had Falmouth Light leading from early on with a few horses chasing like Grandee, Indomeneo, Shareeff Star and Bacacarat. Yet Stonific and Employer were held up in the rear but with two furlongs to go they both started making head way alongside Hulcote. Shareef Star had to be pushed early on. At three furlongs out Falmouth Light lost the lead and began to weaken, the lead was taken on by Grandee with Employer, Stonific and Cote D'Azur soon tracking the leaders. Although Stonific was switched one furlong out and ridden along battling with Employer for the lead, Employer had no more to give keeping on at the same pace. Hulcote also was badly hampered but once having a clear run she stayed on well. First was Stonific by 1 length, second was Employer by 1 1/4 lengths, third was Hulcote by a neck. 

The star of the day for me came in the sixth race with Good Birthday going smoothly throughout the race, definitely one to watch for the future. 

Lincoln meeting Day 1- Saturday 30th March 2019

The surprisingly gorgeous weather resulted in a wonderful day at the races for the start of the season. Four of the winners were favourites and there were some very close finishes but also some easy wins like Auxerre in the 3:35. Unfortunately there was a faller in the Brocklesby, Anna Fallow, thoughts are with all the connections.

The third race had Hells Babe leading the race tracked by Gabrial, Red Starlight and Sharja Bridge. Circus Couture was held up but in touch with the rest of the field. Headway was made three furlongs out by Sharja Bridge with Circus Couture who was switched right. The leader Hells Babe only was questioned two furlongs out by Red Starlight as she began to lead but was quickly joined by Sharja Bridge who lay down a challenge. At the same time Gabrial was squashed and had to be switched, eventually managing to get a clear run alongside Remarkable. However Sharja Bridge kept on stronger than Red Starlight and managed to beat Red Starlight by 2 lengths. Gabrial kept on for third in the final furlong by 3 3/4 lengths with the rest of the field not too far behind.

The 3:35 the Unibet Lincoln had three non-runners due to a change in the going. The leader was Auxerre with Silver Quartz and Masham Star close up. The chasers were Raydiance, Humbert and Saltonstall. But due to the size of the field many horses ended being hampered in their running, switching for more room which included Beringer and Breden. When other horses were struggling Auxerre went well clear from early on avoiding getting boxed or stopped. In the final furlong more horses began to challenge including Kynren, Beringer, Ripp Org and Breden. Auxerre was chased by Kynren who towards the end did not have enough strength to challenge. Auxerre kept on unquestionably winning by 2 1/4 lengths. Second was Kynren and a dead heat for third between Beringer and Breden who were clear of fifth by a length. Perhaps if Beringer and Breden had clearer runs then maybe they would have been even closer. Auxerre undoubtably has a bright racing future due to his form and ease of win. Definitely one to watch this season.