Lisa playing the patient game with athletic grey Lincoln Lane

Lincoln Lane is unlikely to make headlines at Hastings on Wednesday but trainer Lisa Latta is excited about what he might achieve this time next year.

The bold looking grey debuts in the fifth race, the Robyn Mactaggart Cup which, over only 1400 metres, is well short of the distance Latta expects him to excel at.

Just what cups he might contest when fully matured is anyone’s guess but Latta can’t wait to see him fill out and mature.

By champion staying sire Savabeel, he cost Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street $260,000 as a yearling, his classy frame and impressive pedigree well found by Karaka buyers.

He is out of the O’Reilly mare Everyday, whose sister Freequent won seven races and left Freequence, the dam of 15-race winner I Do and Queensland Cup winner Iggi Pop.

It is also the family of Queensland Derby winner Court Ruler who ran fourth in the New Zealand Derby, a race which is on John Street’s bucket list.

Latta has been very patient with the striking grey, turning him out after two quiet trials in May and June.

His runs this time in don’t appear in the form guide because they were at jumpouts but Latta has been happy with both outings.

At Levin on October 24 he got back second last in a heat over 1000 metres, was left a little flat-footed at the 600 metre mark, but was doing his best work late out wide.

And on the same course on November 7, again over 1000 metres, he trailed and maintained a nice run to the line to be less than two lengths from stablemate Lincoln Fury in fourth.

“He’s continued to improve this time in,’’ says Latta.

“Being by Savabeel 1400 metres is going to be short of his best but it’s a good starting point against his own age group.

“As long as he is finding the line I will be happy. He is going to be a much better horse in the autumn as he needs to fill out.’’

Lincoln Lane featured in second spot behind only Lincoln Falls on a list Latta compiled in early October of promising Lincoln Farms horses to watch.

She described him as a lovely staying type with a bit of size, but also athletic.