Mick’s back from Aussie to team with Lincoln Raider in Wednesday’s rich mile at Riccarton

Lincoln Raider has emerged as a strong lightweight hope in Wednesday’s $230,000 Couplands Mile with the news that talented hoop Mick Dee is coming from Australia for the ride.

Trainer Lisa Latta sounded out the Victorian based Kiwi jockey recently, intent on organising a suitable rider for Lincoln Raider should he make the field for the Riccarton feature.

The horse gets into the Group II race with only 52kg, easily the lightest he’s had in his 14-start career. The only time Lincoln Raider has carried less than 57.5kg was when second in January’s Douro Cup at Trentham when he had 55.5kg.

And, that, combined with the long Riccarton straight points to his being a realistic chance, despite the presence of 59kg topweight Shadows Cast who dead-heated for first with Son Of Maher in the race two years ago (carrying 52kg) and has since won the Group I Thorndon Mile.

Latta says she had a lot of success with Dee before he moved to Australia in January, 2015, where he has made a real name for himself since with a career tally of 451 wins.

Dee, 23, who completed his apprenticeship with Mick Price, now has three Group I wins to his credit and in April rode two-year-old Prince Of Sussex to win the A$950,000 Showdown at Caulfield.

Ironically his last win in New Zealand was on this very raceday three years ago at Riccarton, getting Evadir La Bala home a nose for former employer Kevin Myers.

Mick Dee with champion trainer Chris Waller after winning the Group I Myer Classic on Shillelagh.In Lincoln Raider, Dee jumps on a powerful finisher who last season looked like he was destined to win a big mile.

He turned on an electrifying performance over 1400 metres at Trentham (dead 5) last October when rider Tim Johnson weaved home from a seemingly impossible position well back on the rails to win, going away.

And two starts later, this time with champion rider Opie Bosson in the saddle, he again charged home from well back at Trentham to win over 1600 metres, in slow 8 ground.

A month later, after the Douro Cup, everything derailed when he was found to have a bone chip in his knee, possibly caused by hitting the running rail several times in heavy ground at Ellerslie when he pulled up gingerly, finishing worse than fifth for the only time in his life.

Latta gave the horse a good spell and let him gradually regain fitness with four trials before he resumed over 1200 metres at Hawera on October 12, doing his best work late for fourth.

And last time, over 1400 metres at Awapuni, he really hinted he was back when devouring the ground late to go under by only half a neck under 3kg claiming apprentice Hazel Schofer.

Latta says Lincoln Raider has really pleased her since.

“He worked very nicely on Saturday morning and eleven is the perfect draw for him as he will be able to go back and get to the outside in the run home.”

Latta delayed sending the horse south until she knew the track would not be rock hard and while travelling down last night with Princess Amelie the forecasted 24mm of rain was tumbling down in Christchurch, leaving the track a dead 6 by the time they arrived at lunch time today.

“It would be great if it stayed around that mark until Wednesday as we know how good Lincoln Raider is on top of his game and I am expecting a top run from him.”

Princess Amelie kicks strongly to beat Mars Bars at Trentham last start. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images.Latta knows Princess Amelie faces a tough task in the $100,000 Stewards with a strong field which includes impressive first day winner Sensei.

“But I am really happy with her and she deserves the opportunity to have a run at Group level. If she can race up to her best, I see no reason why she can’t fight out the finish.”

Princess Amelie is unbeaten in two starts this time in, albeit in weaker company, unhappy in the heavy footing both times at Waverley and Trentham.

“I would prefer to have drawn a place or two further in than nine but as it’s run down the chute it shouldn’t be a major problem.”

Robbie Hannam again takes the mount on the Snitzel mare who likes to run handy to the pace and, with only 53kg, should find a nice kick in the straight.