Street on to winning formula: Good looking Lincoln’s Kruz just likes the girls

Part owner John Street pulled the right rein when he insisted trainer Lisa Latta engage a top female rider for Lincoln’s Kruz at Trentham today.

“I really wanted a top girl on today because he doesn’t seem to like male riders,” said Street after the showy black destroyed his rivals in a slick 1:08.52 for the 1200 metres.

“I think he’s one of those horses who has a mind of his own and, if you knock him around, he says ‘stuff this’. You’ve got to treat him gently. The girls treat him like a baby and he enjoys it better.”

Latta could not have chosen a better rider for Lincoln’s Kruz than Lisa Allpress.

“She loves the horse and knows him pretty well,” Street said. “She’s ridden him at the trials and rode him in his first three races.”

Lisa Allpress … inspired choice.Allpress rode the perfect race on Lincoln’s Kruz today, bouncing him out from the inside gate to follow leader Marotiri Belle throughout.

And when she was able to push out from a pocket in the straight, the horse had the same turn of foot he first showed when winning his maiden at Wairarapa in January, when he also clocked a fast 56.47 for 1000 metres.

“He’s also best if he can see clear air. Lisa says he doesn’t like being in close contact.”

Allpress said afterwards she’s always had a lot of time for Lincoln’s Kruz.

“He’s such a neat horse. I first spotted him at the jumpouts and I was really keen to stick with him.

“He’s had a few growing pains and issues but he’s come back now and is getting better and better.”

Latta was expecting a big run today, declaring pre-race that she’d never had the horse better.

And while it has taken Lincoln’s Kruz 16 starts to win two races, Street says now that he’s starting to mature and learn to relax better, “hopefully he can win a few more because he’s only four.”

Street bought the horse by chance, lucky to be ringside with Latta when the attractive black colt walked into the ring at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2018 ready to run sale of two-year-olds.

“The first time I saw him was when he walked into the ring and he was a lovely looker. I asked Lisa if she liked him. She loved him so I said let’s see if we can buy him.”

A few bids and $150,000 later and the Kuroshio colt, who’s dam Myskina is a half sister to Group I Oakleigh Plate winner Miss Kournikova, was bound for Lincoln Farms’ trainer in Palmerston North.

Street and his wife Lynne now race the horse with their business manager Ian Middleton, Jeff and Vicky Roach, Peter and Bridget Morris, Sue Croft and Steve Haylock.

“All the girls love him down at Lisa’s stable. I see a few of the Kuroshios are going well in Australia at the moment too.”

Lincoln’s Kruz, who paid a generous $9.20, scored a clearcut two length win but a blanket covered the next five home, with a short head, long neck, short neck and half a head separating Sacred Option, Arturo, Marotiri Belle, Final Savings and Dauphine.

Lincoln’s Kruz was a clear winner but a blanket covered the next five home.