Raider best of the Lincolns on Saturday and 3kg claimer Hazel’s running hot

A cracking track gallop and 3kg claim through top strike rate apprentice Hazel Schofer points to Lincoln Raider as the best of eight Lincoln Farms runners at Awapuni on Saturday.

Lincoln Raider, who has some big miles on the radar this season, lines up in the fifth race, against stablemates Lincoln Hills and Platinum Volos, and hinted at better things to come when powering home late for fourth fresh-up at Hawera.

Apprentice Kozzi Asano dropped Lincoln Raider out the back, as is the horse’s custom, and he was still there 400 metres out, before angling across heels 250 metres from home and roaring home to clock the fastest last 600 metres of the day, 34.98.

Trainer Lisa Latta has opted to go for an apprentice claim again, Schofer taking over from Asano, reducing Lincoln Raider’s weight to 57.5kg, on a par with most in the field.

Hazel Schofer, with boss Allan Sharrock in the background, has a terrific strike rate.And with Schofer, Lincoln Raider loses no caste, the New Plymouth 20-year-old riding in superb form, her strike rate this season second only to Troy Harris. With eight wins from 33 rides this season, she has a terrific strike rate of 4.13, and similar career stats with 21 wins from only 88 rides.

Schofer, apprenticed to Allan Shamrock, is in only her second season of riding but Latta has entrusted her with the mount on Saturday, happy she can get the powerful galloper to produce his best.

Lincoln Raider showed he was primed to win when galloping superbly at Awapuni on Tuesday with New Zealand Oaks winner Sentimental Miss.

On a good plough the pair dashed over 1000 metres in 61 flat, coming home from the 800 in 47.4 and 600 in 36, a gallop which caught the eye of the locals. By comparison Latta’s smart four-year-old Sir Nate, a major contender for the 10th race, clocked 63.2.

Latta says having drawn wide in 13 will help Lincoln Raider as will the extra 200 metres.

“When you get back like he does, he’s always going to need luck, and track bias can come into it, but he’s ready to win and I’m expecting him to have a good year.

“He still holds a nom for the Couplands Mile (November 13, Riccarton) but that might come up too soon. It’s only 11 days away and I don’t know if that would be the right thing for him, unless he won super impressively on Saturday.

“There’s so much Christmas racing and lots of good miles coming up, like the Rich Hill at Ellerslie and the Thornton Mile and Douro Cup at Trentham, all for good money.”

Lincoln Raider showed he was up to tackling the best races last season when he scored two huge come-from-behind wins at Trentham, only to have a bone chip in his knee stop him in his tracks.

Lincoln Hills will get the right footing and an economical run from the inside gate. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images.While Lincoln Hills isn’t quite in the same class as Lincoln Raider, Latta says from the inside gate he’s set to get a far more economical run.

“The track will suit too as it looks like it will end up in the dead range. He galloped very well at Awapuni on Wednesday morning and is capable of figuring in the finish.”

Lincoln Hills might have finished only seventh behind Pop Star Princess at Hastings last start but he was clear only in the last 200 metres and ran 34.85 for his last 600 metres, the second fastest closing sectional in the race.

Latta was very pleased with Platinum Volos’ work this week and is hoping Azano can get him to jump on Saturday after he blew the start last time at Otaki.

“He’d like a wetter track though and he’s been up for a while.”

Latta plumps for Lincoln Star (race 6) as second best chance for Lincoln Farms, narrowly, over Father Lenihan (race 10).

“I’m just a bit worried by Father Lenihan’s wide draw, in a strong field, but Robbie (Hannam) will punch him out and ride him near the pace.”

Latta says Father Lenihan has recovered brilliantly from his courageous win at Hawera where he was headed but kicked back to win in a neck, nose, half head and long neck finish.

“It looks like he will strike a perfect, dead track and I expect another top run from him.”

From the 1600 metre chute at Awapuni horses get a long 800 metre run down the back straight before the first turn.Lincoln Star’s 68904 form line might not inspire too much confidence but he was more like his real self when he struck better footing last time at Hastings.

“We’ve had to scratch him a few times because of track conditions so it will be good to get him back to the races.

“His last run was very good, he is a past winner at Awapuni, and I have been happy with his work.”

Latta says while drawn a little wide in 15, Lincoln Star will have plenty of time to work across from the 1600 metre start at Awapuni as there’s an 800 metre run before they hit the first turn.