Father Lenihan if it’s wet, Master Lincoln if it’s dry, Latta has all bases covered

With a terrible weather forecast, trainer Lisa Latta is tipping Father Lenihan as her best chance for Lincoln Farms at Awapuni on Saturday.

But if the rains don’t arrive, and the conditions stay at today’s dead6, she’ll be leaning towards Master Lincoln instead.

Latta saddles two for Lincoln Farms in the second race, Father Lenihan and Lincoln Star, along with a third runner Platinum Wild Card. But it’s Father Lenihan, having his third run this prep who she fancies most.

“He’s always loved a slow track and even if we get a fair bit of rain I don’t think it will worry him.

“He’s really looking for further than 1400 metres but it could be more like 1600 metres if we get the rain that’s forecast.”

Latta was taken by Father Lenihan’s effort for fourth last Saturday at Trentham behind super impressive stablemate Lincoln Raider.

“I thought it was a huge effort. He drew wide and Robbie (Hannam) had to use him up to ride him up handy.”

Father Lenihan took over 400 metres from home and it was only late that the O’Reilly four-year-old succumbed, still fighting bravely to be only one and a quarter lengths from the winner.

Father Lenihan won his sole race on a slow 9 track and has also won a trial on a heavy 11 - “But he doesn’t really want it heavy.”

In wet conditions, Latta also has a hankering for Platinum Volos in the third race.

The four-year-old Dalghar gelding hasn’t raced since September 8 when he stood in the gates, lost all chance, and was ordered to trial before fronting up again.

He did that, at Waverley on October 16, when the addition of pacifiers and a barrier blanket did the trick.

“Hopefully he jumps out on terms because he has the ability and he likes an off track.”

Master Lincoln parades before turning in an eye-catching jumpout at Levin last week. PHOTO: Royden Williams.If the track doesn’t deteriorate as much as expected, Latta says she’d be pretty confident over the chances of Master Lincoln in race eight.

“His jumpout was very good last week, but the track was pretty good there, and he has trained on well since. I just hope it doesn’t get too wet for him as a nice dead/slow is probably what he prefers. I’d be wary if it got wetter than that.

“He will get back from the wide draw and we will look to power over the top of them.”

Manhattan Street, who opens for Lincoln Farms in the first race, has been up a long time, says Latta, but a wetter track on Saturday would help him no end.

“He’s had a bit more spring in his step with the rain around this week.”