Lisa’s long range plan comes off as Lincoln’s Kruz burns them off in the Pegasus at $18

A plan hatched six months ago by trainer Lisa Latta resulted in a spectacular coup when Lincoln’s Kruz ran away at long odds to win Saturday’s $80,000 Pegasus Stakes at Riccarton.

And Latta is hoping Lincoln Farms’ showy black can go even better in next Saturday’s Group III Stewards’ Stakes.

Latta identified the Pegasus as Lincoln’s Kruz’s main spring target because of his penchant for races over 1000 metres, two of his four wins having been at the shorter sprint trip.

It’s not that the Kuroshio gelding can’t run 1200 metres but he has a habit of being too keen so is suited when the pace is right on over the short dash.

“He didn’t settle perfectly yesterday either but that was probably because he was fresh and a bit above himself,” Latta said. “He should be better next time.”

Lincoln’s Kruz skies away from Rockland to give Lisa Allpress her sixth win in the Pegasus. PHOTO: Ajay Berry/Race Images.Latta had a few anxious moments even before the start yesterday when Lincoln’s Kruz, despite wearing pre-race ear covers for the first time, got fired up in the birdcage and proved a handful for rider Lisa Allpress on his way to the barriers.

But from gate three, Allpress positioned the horse perfectly behind the speed and, when she hooked him out three wide in the run home, he really kicked to score by two lengths in a swift 56.86.

It was the kind of speed the Kruz liner has always shown Latta but only now, as a six-year-old, has he really strengthened into his imposing frame.

It’s a frame that cost Lincoln Farms’ boss John Street $150,000 at the ready-to-run sale but with Saturday’s $46,000 in the bank and total earnings of $125,000, neither Street, his wife Lynne nor partners Ian Middleton, Jeff and Vicky Roach, Peter and Bridget Morris and Sue Croft and Steve Haylock are complaining.

And ahead, on the third day of the carnival for the first time, is the lure of the $120,000 Stewards’ Stakes (1200m).

Lincoln’s Kruz was 17th equal on the qualifying order on just 53kg for the cup carnival’s sprint feature but is now exempt from the ballot and will not be rehandicapped.

“He should run well again. A lot depends on what he draws, he needs a decent draw. But he pulled up well and ate up overnight.”