Opie, plus plenty of other big ticks alongside Lincoln Raider’s name at Awapuni on Saturday

The combination of top jockey Opie Bosson, an impressive last-start win and some explosive trackwork has seen Lincoln Raider open a warm $3.30 favourite at Awapuni on Saturday.

Lincoln Raider faces a useful line-up in the fourth race but looks to have everything going for him in the rating 82 1600 metres, even the wide barrier draw.

Lincoln Raider drew three last time at Trentham when he came from the tail of the field to race past Prosecco and company over 1400 metres at Trentham.

But trainer Lisa Latta likes him even better from his 11 gate on Saturday.

“It’s a perfect draw for him. He won’t get cluttered up down on the inside and will be able to get to the outside after turning in.”

Lincoln Raider showed he had trained on well in trackwork on Tuesday when he got through an 800 metre gallop which track clocker Ron Gurney labelled as “explosive.”

Paired with talented stablemate Secret Allure, he sped through 800 metres on the plough in 47.2, the last 600 in 36.1.

Latta was impressed by Lincoln Raider’s Trentham win, his third on the course.

But while the big, roomy Wellington track is the only one he has won on since bagging his maiden at Waipukuaru, Latta says the horse goes fine on his home track.

In four starts at Awapuni, which has a 400 metre home straight compared with Trentham’s 450 metres, Lincoln Raider has notched a second, a third equal and two fourths.

Lincoln Raider is also one from one on slow tracks, and Latta expects that with windy, drying conditions today the track won’t get too much worse than its present slow 8, even with 18ml of rain forecast on Friday.

Robbie Hannam could be saluting again on Platinum Invador on Saturday if the track is reasonable. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images.Latta says she will be quite confident that Platinum Invador can be right in the finish of Saturday’s $100,000 Manawatu Cup (2300m) if the conditions improve.

“I’m very happy with him. His work has been great since his third in the Wanganui Cup when he didn’t get all favours.

“I would like to see the track improve and, if it does, I expect him to be right in it.”

Platinum Invador is zero from three on heavy tracks but has won twice in slow 8 conditions.

“He has a good draw to use again and gets in with the minimum weight (53kg).

“Hopefully Robbie (Hannam) can get a run through them.”

Platinum Invador is a $5.50 second favourite behind Concert Hall ($4).

One who wouldn’t mind a track downgrade is fifth race runner Platinum Spirit ($10) who scored his maiden win in a heavy 11 Trentham bog in June.

Both of the colt’s last two runs have been improved efforts, when fifth over 2300 metres at Otaki and third over 2200 metres at Awapuni.

“He keeps getting better and better,” says Latta. “He is capable of being right in the finish.”

Platinum Dubai trialled in great style at Foxton. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images.Two-year-old Platinum Dubai goes into the second race with a very smart trial win at Foxton under her belt which saw her open a $4.80 fixed odds favourite.

Platinum Dubai wore blinkers that day and will have them on for the first time on raceday on Saturday.

Latta believes the Pride Of Dubai filly has enough early speed to overcome her wide draw but says she doesn’t want the track too wet.

Enigmatic six-year-old Almo Street ($21) starts another campaign in the eighth race and gets a 2kg claim down to 57kg with Charlotte O’Beirne at the helm.

Almo Street looked well forward when a head second to The Rippa at the Foxton trials on November 4 and Latta says he has trained on well since.

“This is not an overly strong field and I expect a bold run from him if he puts his best foot forward.”