Lincoln Dreamer’s massive effort leaves Latta salivating over his prospects for next winter

Trainer Lisa Latta is really looking forward to next winter with Lincoln Dreamer who staged a huge come-from-last win at Wanganui today.

In what commentator Tony Lee described as a “massive” run, Lincoln Dreamer was last and under vigorous riding 600 metres from home.

But when rider Ryan Elliot scouted right to the outside of the track turning for home, the horse unleashed an irresistible burst down the fence line, reeling in the leaders and going away near the finish to score by one and three-quarter lengths.

It was the kind of performance Latta always believed Lincoln Dreamer had in him, but he’d simply needed the time that most Savabeels demand before they hit their straps.

Now, five, Lincoln Dreamer also came into the stable with knee issues after he was bought for $130,000 at the 2016 Ready to Run sale.

“He was always going to take a bit of time - we knew that when we got him. He just had changes in his knees that meant we had to wait for him to mature.”

The wait was certainly worth it but the breakthrough was badly timed with Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street on holiday in Fiji and unable to watch the race.

Lincoln Dreamer sustains a long run to sweep past his rivals at Wanganui. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images.Judging by the effort, however, it won’t be the last time Lincoln Dreamer demolishes a field like that.

“Next winter he’ll really go on with it but it would be nice to pick up another win this time in. The track was pretty wet and holding today but he handled it well.”

Supporters of the gelding, tipped as a strong chance by Latta, must have been thinking they’d done their chips however when, in a carbon copy of his previous start, he was a clear last and under the bat halfway through the race.

But Latta says Lincoln Dreamer, who ran nearer to last than first in his first six starts, benefitted today from the strength of Elliot.

“He needs a strong rider. But he was also lucky he wasn’t held up today and was able to continue his run, uninterrupted, round the outside.”

Latta expects the best won’t be seen of Lincoln Dreamer until he gets over further than today’s 1360 metres - his mother Villifye was at her best over 1600 metres.

“We’ll just space his racing in the meantime but I’ll look for another race for him in a few weeks.”

Lincoln Dreamer clocked 1:31.29 for the trip today in heavy 11 conditions, getting over the top of She’s Got The Look and Sequoia Dawn.