Authentic Charm overdue but Lisa’s hoping the 1000 metre trip will do the trick

A rousing gallop by Authentic Charm at Awapuni on Tuesday has raised hopes that she can finally break her duck at Tauherenikau on Thursday.

The five-year-old mare shared time honours on the plough when she galloped over 1000 metres with four-race winner Excelleration, clocking 1:01.6, the last 800 metres in 48.3 and 600 in 36.4.

And while trainer Lisa Latta says the mare is habitually a good trackworker she is hoping that we will at last see the best out of her over 1000 metres in the opening race.

“I’m trying something different with her. She’s always trialled well over the distance but has never tried it on raceday.”

Before resuming with a slightly disappointing fourth of six on January 2, Authentic Charm won a 1000 metre trial at Foxton.

“I imagine she will be run off her feet early and will be running home strongly at the finish so will be suited by the small field again.”

Only five rivals are carded against the slow maturing mare who is a half sister to Latta’s now retired $780,000 winner Authentic Paddy.

In the opening market, the TAB bookies have her fourth favourite at $7.50.

Benny Lincoln … over-raced and badly hampered last start.Latta believes third race runner Benny Lincoln ($8) will go a lot better than his last-start eighth but she fears the track conditions will be against him.

The footing was reported as a dead 5 this morning but Latta says with little to no rain predicted, the track will be a lot firmer by start time.

“The temperature gets very hot there and I think he’s a typical Jimmy Choux who needs a dead to slow track.

“The day he ran second the ground was quite off - they’d over-watered the track.”

Latta, nevertheless, expects Benny Lincoln to go better with a more positive ride by Jonathan Riddell.

“We thought we’d ride him quietly last time from a wide draw but in hindsight Jonathan thinks he should have gone forward. He started over-racing badly and then got badly hampered after 200 metres.”

On Thursday Benny Lincoln jumps from gate three and Latta has dropped him back to 1300 metres.

“I am expecting a far better effort.”

Lincoln’s Gal ($19) could also be an improver in the sixth race from the inside gate.

Latta says her 12th of 16 at Trentham last time was not a true reflection of the mare’s ability.

“I’ve added a tongue tie as I’ve been worried she’s been holding her breath in her races and her work has been a lot better with it on.

“She should get a nice trip from a good draw and has raced well at Tauherenikau before.”

Lincoln Lane ($41) will wear blinkers for the first time in the eighth race but Latta says the best won’t be seen from the Savabeel four-year-old until he steps out over a middle distance.