He’s back! And trial shows the newly gelded Lincoln Falls is a much better model too

Classy galloper Lincoln Falls earned a start in the Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes at the end of the month with a stylish win at today’s Waverley trials.

The exciting three-year-old’s effort was the highlight of a hugely successful day for trainer Lisa Latta and Lincoln Farms with three wins and two close seconds from five runners.

Latta says the difference in Lincoln Falls since he was gelded after the New Zealand Derby was noticeable even before he jumped in the open 1000 metre catchweight heat.

“He’s so much more settled now - he was always very full on - but now even around the stable he’s a different horse.’’

Rider Jonathan Parkes was impressed by the way Lincoln Falls travelled too, as he sat just off the leader, stablemate Almo Street, in a slowly run heat.

And when he asked Lincoln Falls to run, he cruised alongside the leader and, with one slap over the shoulder took the lead halfway down the straight.

“He went to the line with little urging to score by a head,’’ said Latta who will now press ahead with a start in the late season Group III three-year-old feature at Te Rapa on April 27.

Almo Street … well behaved and a bold second to Lincoln Falls.Latta was particularly pleased with Almo Street’s effort for second under Charlotte O’Beirne and not just for the dogged way he fought to the line.

“He’s a horse with a lot of ability and it was great just to see him do everything right again.’’

Almo Street, ordered to trial then banned from the races last September after repeatedly refusing to come out of the barriers, wore a blindfold today and was perfect behind the gates.

“You never know when it’s going to recur but he was really good today and he’d only had a couple of gallops so to run the other horse so close was pleasing.’’

Latta intends lining the horse up at Awapuni on Anzac Day in a rating 72 event over 1200 metres.

Denny’s Lincoln pictured winning his maiden in December, 2017.Welcome back Denny

Most pleasing of all the runners today for Latta though was six-year-old Denny’s Lincoln who ran second in his 1000 metre heat, just nabbed late by Allan Sharrock’s London Express.

It was the horse’s first serious hitout since he last raced more than 13 months ago when he hit a tendon in a gallop.

“He gave it a decent whack. There wasn’t a hole but we gave him a long time off.

“He’s had a long slow buildup and is looking good now.

“He’s a big horse who was a slow developer but he’s always shown a bit.’’

Denny’s Lincoln, by Denman out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Come Sunday, was a $220,000 Gold Coast yearling buy and is a half brother to 2017 Victoria Derby winner Ace High.

He raced only three times after scoring his maiden win in December, 2017, and Latta is excited to have him back.

While nutted a head on the line today Latta said Denny’s Lincoln was under a hold by rider Robbie Hannam, while “the other two were pushed out.

“He jumped, sat outside the leader and fought on bravely, beaten by a handy type in London Express short of the line.

“It was a very pleasing trial and I will just see how he progresses before deciding whether to give him another trial or head to the races.’’

Platinum Spirit … all-the-way winner expected to handle wet tracks.Charm Spirit colt Platinum Spirit looked a quick improver when jumping fast and leading all the way in the two-year-old heat over 1000 metres.

“He kept up a strong gallop to score by half a length.

“Robbie said the way he felt he doesn’t think wet tracks will worry him which is handy at this time of the year.’’

Platinum Spirit has raced only once, when fourth of six at Otaki in January.

Platinum Touch was due to line up in the same heat but Latta left her at home when she looked a little off colour this morning. She will go to the jumpouts next week instead.

Lincoln Town … work in progress.Lincoln Town, an unraced three-year-old by Tavistock, led a five horse maiden heat over 1200m and, despite being attacked form the 600m mark, he railed up and came away to win by a length.

“He’s very much a work in progress. He’s green and Robbie says he’s still learning how to travel and quicken.

“He needs one more trial over more ground so I’ll run him on April 30 at Foxton over 1400 metres.’’

Latta said today’s effort was a big improvement on Lincoln Town’s three unplaced trials last year.