Butter wouldn’t melt in Almo’s mouth, right?

Its fair to say bad boy Almo Street has put his connections through the wringer in the last 12 months but the way he trialled at Foxton suggests he can repay their faith at New Plymouth on Saturday.

Trainer Lisa Latta labelled Almo Street as the standout performer among the big team she took to the trials last Tuesday, when he earned a ticket to go back to the races, behaving himself out of the gates, before rattling home late for a close third in his heat.

Almo Street, a horse with “all the ability in the world’’ according to Latta, was banned from the races last September when he refused to come out of the barriers and took no part in his race.

After a winning trial in May he returned to the track but in just his second start he was up to his old tricks again and this time was ordered to trial on multiple occasions.

Latta has now given the five-year-old two jumpouts and two trials when he has been on his best behaviour, thanks to a suggestion from Lincoln Farms’ boss John Street, who races the horse with Wellfield Lodge’s Bill Gleeson.

Owner John Street came up with idea of using a blindfold on Almo Street. PHOTO: Royden Williams.“John came up with the idea of using a blindfold, which they do a lot in Singapore, and it seems to be doing the trick,’’ says Latta.

Loaded into the barriers at Foxton with his face covered, Almo Street stood well in the inside gate and his headgear was pulled off a split second before the starter hit his button.

Out fastest, Almo Street was restrained by rider Charlotte O’Beirne off a fast early tempo and was in the rear trio 600 metres from home.

Angled off the fence with 350m to go, Almo Street came with a strong run to finish just two necks from the winner Hank Moody.

Given Hank Moody is a four race winner and stablemate and runner-up Sir Nate has won three times, it was a good effort in the fastest 1200 metre heat of the day, run in 1:15.71.

“Hopefully he’s over the worst of it now,’’ says Latta.

“I’ll run him at New Plymouth on Saturday. He’s been in work a long time and is fit and ready to go. He has the ability to win but you couldn’t back him in case he stands in the gates again.’’

Port Lincoln … big, strong and a real professional. PHOTO: Royden Williams.Almo Street’s younger four-year-old brother Port Lincoln will also be let loose this week, Latta choosing Wairarapa on Thursday for his debut.

Port Lincoln finished second in his Foxton trial heat, beaten a length by Fraser Auret’s Rhett Butler.

“He’s a big, strong horse and is a real professional,’’ says Latta. “He’ll jump and put himself right there.’’

Ajay Lincoln … second best performer at the trials. PHOTO: Royden Williams.But it was three-year-old Sebring colt Ajay Lincoln who got Latta’s nod as second best performer at the trials, even though he was unplaced.

Ajay Lincoln tailed the field early and was still sharing the rear turning for home but he put in some telling late strides for rider Tim Johnson to finish fourth.

“It was a particularly good trial,’’ says Latta of the colt who holds a 2000 Guineas nomination.

“The way he got home in the last 50 metres was very good. He just keeps on improving and that’s what you like to see.

“He got quite sick as a two-year-old but he looks pretty ready to go now.’’

Lincoln Green … staying type who surprised by winning. PHOTO: Royden Williams.Unraced Ferlax three-year-old Lincoln Green earned third prize on the trials roster, taking a 1000 metre catchweight heat.

“He’s a staying type of horse and on his breeding you wouldn’t have thought he could win over 1000 metres.

“He hasn’t done a lot, - he’s had only one jumpout and two trials - so I’ll go back to the trials with him. He jumped and led at Foxton so he didn’t learn a lot.

“I like him.’’

Among the 14 runners for Lincoln Farms at the trials, O’Reilly four-year-old Lincoln Star (second) and Savabeel gelding Lincoln Raider (third) also showed up well.