Top jockey Sam Collett takes the ride on Kamanda Lincoln on Saturday on the minimum weight.
Kamanda Lincoln can turn it all around in small field on Saturday
By Barry Lichter • 16 November 2018
A good draw in a small field could be enough to see Kamanda Lincoln turn his form around at Riccarton on Saturday.
Kamanda Lincoln, who is balloted out of the New Zealand Cup, ran a seemingly average seventh on Wednesday but trainer Lisa Latta says he had no chance with the very muddling pace set by favourite Bak Da Master.
“He just got far too far back but Johnathan (Parkes) had to go back or he’d have been caught three wide.
“Then he got travelling a bit keen.’’
A good 15 lengths from the leaders 1200 metres from home when the speed finally went on, Kamanda Lincoln ground home well, recording 35.64 for his last 600 metres, the fourth fastest in the race.
Latta likes his chances on Saturday with only seven rivals, a perfect barrier draw of two and top jockey Sam Collett in the saddle.
Kamanda Lincoln also drops 5 kilos to the minimum weight of 54kg.
“All he needs is cover and he’ll be fine. The 2500 metres suits and he’s a definite chance.’’
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Lisa’s comments
Friday at Awapuni
Race 8: Lincoln Towers
4.53pm
“He needs two more scratchings to make the field and, because it’s the first day back racing at Awapuni and they’re running only 12 horses, that looks doubtful. I decided to run him over 1400 metres as I think leaving him at 1200 wouldn’t be the right thing to do. He has continued to work well and had a really nice gallop on the course proper this week.”
Stephen’s comments
Saturday at Te Rapa
Race 7: Billy Lincoln
3.37pm
“He’s bounced out of his trial (third on the Cambridge synthetic) very well and it’s time to kick him off. I wouldn’t expect him to win at 1200 metres but it will bring him on nicely. Then we’ll step him up to a more suitable 1400 and second-up he can be very competitive. Rihaan Goyaram rides and claims 3kg down to 53.5kg.”