Promising pair extend picket fence form lines but soon to go into winter quarters

Impressive Saturday winners Platinum Attack and Billy Lincoln may have to wait until next season to extend their picket fence form lines.

The pair of progressive gallopers scored opening race wins for Lincoln Farms at separate meetings, Platinum Attack winning his fourth race on end at Trentham and Billy Lincoln his third in a row at Pukekohe.

Part-owner Neville McAlister was really taken by the way Platinum Attack rallied to beat Koheroa by half a neck.

“The way he fought back was very encouraging. It looked like the other one went past him but he stuck his head out and Jonathan (Riddell) never touched him with the stick.”

Most pleasing for McAlister though was the fact it was the first time the three-year-old had faced and beaten a quality field.

Platinum Attack clocked 1:09.29 for the 1200 metres, good going in the soft 5 conditions, though McAlister pointed out they had first use of the better ground on the inside.

Trainer Lisa Latta is not keen to test the Santos gelding again in wetter conditions - the only time he has run out of the money in six starts was on soft 6 going at Otaki in his second start.

“We are considering the Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes ( a $100,000 race at Te Rapa on April 27) but he’s more than likely to go the paddock now,” McAlister said.

“He’s a typical Aussie speed horse and they have no idea when it comes to wet tracks.”

The $37,375 winner’s purse on Saturday took Platinum Attack’s earnings to $97,435 for McAlister and Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street.

Billy Lincoln (Ngakau Hailey) kicks on strongly to score a hat-trick. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Billy Lincoln, raced by the Streets and their business manager Ian Middleton, advanced his career tally to $90,150 from only seven starts when he scored a long head win at Pukekohe.

Helped by the 3kg claim of Ngakau Hailey, Billy Lincoln showed plenty of guts to reel in Kealoha and Solidify.

Trainer Stephen Marsh said he was a little surprised when Hailey, who led early, pulled back into the trail on such a slow speed.

“He’s a good little rider but he nearly got into strife. To his credit he really pushed through a tight gap and won nicely.

“Billy keeps taking the next step up and it was another terrific win. He’s putting together quite the form line.

“He’s had a sold prep but we’ll see how he comes out of it and work out what to do from there.

“He got away with a nice track again on Saturday but I wouldn’t be keen to run him on heavy ground.”