Improving Fury a knockout prospect but if he sits it out Lisa has another Authentic chance

Improving galloper Lincoln Fury looks the pick of Lincoln Farms’ four runners at Tauherenikau on Thursday.

But if trainer Lisa Latta opts to reserve him for Otaki on Monday, she has a likely upsetter in Authentic Charm in the following race.

Latta entered Lincoln Fury for the third race, a rating 82 event over 2050 metres, keen to get him up to a middle distance straight away, even though he is still rated only a 63 horse.

And while he has only six rivals, most of whom are in their twilight years, she could yet keep him for a rating 65 event at the Otaki meeting with a 40% chance of rain on both Sunday and Monday.

Lincoln Fury showed his liking for rain-affected going when, fresh-up at Otaki on December 20, he bombed his opposition in slow 9 going at odds of $15.

Rider Robbie Hannam was really taken with the way Lincoln Fury finished off the 1600 metres that day, reflecting the staying ability he felt early in his three-year-old season when he thought he could be a derby contender.

Lincoln Fury proved to be not strong enough to continue on that path but, now four, he has returned a much stronger edition and Latta says his recent work has been first class.

“He really is working very well and the Tauherenikau race would give us a good line on him. But I’ll wait ’til I see the Otaki noms on Wednesday before making a decision on where to run. With a bit of rain about Otaki could be the better option.”

Authentic Charm has taken time to strengthen but is looking fantastic and goes into Thursday’s race a smart trial winner. PHOTO: Royden Williams.Charm at lucrative odds

With a form line of 3566, and not having started for more than seven months, Authentic Charm should be at lucrative odds in the fourth race for maidens.

But Latta believes the 12-start maiden is a good winning chance and, at five, is finally ready to deliver.

Latta declared the horse at this meeting 12 months ago when she ran only fifth, the first of eight disappointing runs that campaign.

“But she’s just taken a lot of time, some of the Per Incantos do, and she’s a lot stronger now.

“I can’t fault her. She looks fantastic and her work is very good.”

Latta says she’s always liked the mare “who has a good way about her”.

Authentic Charm showed she was primed for a big run first-up when winning a trial at Foxton on December 10, ripping over 1000 meres in 59.19.

“She has come through her trial well, this is not an overly strong field, and I expect her to run a really good race.”

Master Lincoln, who also resumes from a six month spell in the last race, blew out in his Foxton trial but Hannam warned he’d go better with blinkers back on.

“He’ll probably need a run but it’s not a good field and he’s a place chance,” says Latta.

One-paced Platinum Touch gets her chance to show something over ground in the sixth race but Latta isn’t holding her breath.