All Too Easy for Lincoln Hills who could now be ready to shed his ‘softy’ tag

The last thing trainer Lisa Latta expected to see at Awapuni yesterday was Lincoln Hills in front and pulling.

The plan had been for Chris Johnson to ride the All Too Hard four-year-old cold, and come with a late burst.

But the horse had other ideas and Johnson later told Latta he simply couldn’t hold him.

When Lincoln Hills turned for home with a two-length advantage, Latta wasn’t getting too excited though, knowing there were a raft of up-and-coming types chasing him.

But despite being hotly challenged close to the post the horse hung on for a short head victory over Witchery with Lady Rudolph storming home from last for third, a further half neck away.

Trainer Lisa Latta’s pre-race comments about Lincoln Hills were spot on the mark.The win only served to confirm the opinion Latta has always had of the horse - in her pre-race comments, despite the strong opposition, she declared “on his day he could take this race out.’’

“He’s certainly got ability, but he needs his races spaced,’’ says Latta.

“He’s just a bit soft. But you’d hope that would improve with age as he strengthens.’’

Sharing in the horse’s $14 win dividend was part-owner, Lincoln Farms’ business manager Ian Middleton who races Lincoln Hills along with his boss John and Lynne Street.

The pair bought the horse from the Magic Millions sale on the Gold Coast in 2016, paying Baramul Stud A$55,000 for the yearling.

He is out of an unraced More Than Ready mare Hickory Hills whose grand dam Skating topped the Australasian Three-year-old classification in 1992-93.

Winner of seven races and $1.18 million, her best scalps were the Group I Doncaster Handicap and Winfield Classic.

Lincoln Hills’ part-owner Ian Middleton with trainer Lisa Latta.Middleton says Lincoln Hills has been a test for Latta with his finicky nature and needing his races spaced.

“He’s also very particular about track conditions - he needs it dead but doesn’t like it hard or wet.’’

Luckily, Latta’s fears the track might dry out too much yesterday were unfounded and Lincoln Hills was presented with perfect dead 4 ground.

Latta will give Lincoln Hills plenty of time to get over yesterday’s win but is hoping he can now continue his good form.

Another she is expecting to make headlines soon is Lincoln Hanover who was terrific in placing behind Kapinos earlier in the day, nosed out for second in a bobbing finish.

“He’s a really nice type of horse and he’ll improve a lot with the run,’’ says Latta.

A three-year-old by Showcasing out of four-race winner Princess Lincoln, he was having just his second career start.

Punters who followed her pre-race advice were rewarded with a $3.50 place dividend.