Promising Lincoln’s Kruz best of Lisa’s big Boxing Day contingent at Awapuni

Trainer Lisa Latta rates Lincoln’s Kruz the best winning chance of her record nine Lincoln Farms horses entered for Awapuni on Boxing Day.

The promising three-year-old runs in the opening race and will enjoy

• A huge drop in class from the stakes race he contested last start when fourth to the talented Marscapone
• A return to 1200 metres after not rounding off 1400 metres at Trentham and
• A sweet barrier draw of four in a small eight-horse field.

While the Kuroshio gelding was very green at Trentham, hung round the home turn and was inclined to lay in up the home straight, Latta still thought he should have finished closer.

She will be instructing rider Lisa Allpress to hold him up a little longer on Thursday - at Trentham she took off wide all of 600 metres out.

Lincoln’s Kruz was an unlucky eighth before that on debut at Awapuni when stuck behind a wall of horses and only able to work clear late, finishing short margins from fourth.

“He has continued to please me since Trentham and, from a good draw, I expect him to be right in the finish.”

Windy, drying conditions

Track conditions will determine whether Latta starts all of Lincoln Farms entries and Father Lenihan (race 6) is one who is extremely doubtful.

The Awapuni track was rated a slow 7 this morning but with no rain forecast and very windy, drying conditions today, Latta expects it will be a good 3 come race day.

“Father Lenihan has feet issues and has been jarring up. He’s been away on the water treadmill.”

Princess Amelie (race 5) also needs the sting out of the ground.

“We learned from her last run (when eighth on a good 3 track at Otaki) that she appreciates the fire out of the ground. I would be reluctant to line up if it was a hot and fine day and the track came up a good 3 first thing in the morning.

“But she has been working very well, and if she gets the right conditions, and puts her best foot forward she would be very hard to beat.”

Lincoln Hills … should get a perfect trip from the inside gate. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images.Dual acceptor Lincoln Hills will start in the third race where he will be ridden by Johnathan Parkes, a combination that gets the day’s silver award from Latta.

“I really like him from that good draw (one) as Johnathan should get a nice run and be able to hold him up for one run at them.

“He ran a huge fourth behind Lincoln Raider at Trentham (after kicking clear down the home straight) and has a good record on his home course.”

Latta has three in the stayers’ 2100 metre race and gives Mr Consistency Johnny Lincoln the best chance, with Kamanda Lincoln a possible defection because of his big weight.

The Savabeel seven-year-old has won only two of his 40 starts but is in career best form with two recent placings behind Cead Mile Failte, and seconds to Dezella and Humble Pie at Awapuni.

“He has a perfect draw in two and we know he will try his heart out.

“I can’t fault him and he deserves another win. Hopefully he can get his Christmas present on Thursday.”

While Latta rates Johnny her third best chance on the day, she says she is also excited about getting Lincoln Star up to a middle distance again in the same race.

Lincoln Star stepped up over ground for the first time at this meeting last year and ran a bold second to Skyphyta, carrying 58.5kg. On Thursday he gets in with only 55.5kg.