Lincoln Hills … works like an open class handicapper. PHOTO: Royden Williams.
Lisa on Lincoln Hills: ‘This horse can really gallop’
By Barry Lichter • 3 April 2019
The most fascinating race of the week for trainer Lisa Latta will be Lincoln Hills’ tilt at strong rating 82 company at Awapuni on Friday.
An all-the-way last-start winner in rating 65 company on the course, Lincoln Hills steps up significantly in class in the sixth race.
And while he is a two-race winner taking on rivals who have won up to eight races, Latta doesn’t think he’ll be disgraced.
“This horse can really gallop, he works like an open class handicapper.
“And he gets a bit of a weight allowance on Friday.’’
Lincoln Hills drops 4kg on the 58kg he carried on March 1 while the majority of his rivals are carrying 58.5kg or more.
“He beat some pretty nice ones last week and his work has been very good since.”
On Tuesday morning Lincoln Hills was teamed with well performed stablemate Father Lenihan, clocking 52.3 for 800 metres and 39.7 for the last 600.
“I’m really interested to see how he goes. If he could run in the first four I’d be happy. Eventually I think he’ll be up to these horses.’’
Latta has given Lincoln Hills a month in between runs as he’s been quite soft until now, and also finickity about what track conditions he likes.
The Awapuni track was rated a dead 5 today, which would suit him perfectly.
Top jockey Chris Johnson again takes the ride on the All Too Hard four-year-old who is nicely spotted in gate six.
More news in Gallops
Lisa: It’s a hot field but Platinum Attack’s not out of it - and the $23 odds are very tasty
Lisa: Attack’s been practising right-handed and can run a cheeky race in the Railway
First the draw now the weather threatens to sabotage Platinum Attack’s Telegraph bid
New rider for Billy as Opie struggles to shed weight - but the money’s still come for him
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Lisa’s comments
Saturday at Te Rapa
Race 8: Platinum Attack
4.38pm
“His was a huge run last start on an off track which we know he doesn’t like. He bounced through that run in superb order and he couldn’t be looking any better. This is the first time he has stepped up past 1200 metres but he is ready for it now. He is going to get a nice economical run from three and he shouldn’t be too far from the leaders as they turn for home. He is more than capable of running a big race and I expect him to run a lot better than his odds of $23. Jonathan Riddell is back on board.”