JK Riddell just needs to stop Gal from rearing in the gates and she’s a show at Hastings

Jonathan Riddell only needs to get Lincoln’s Gal away on terms at Hastings on Wednesday for the mare to be competitive in the eighth race.

Trainer Lisa Latta says the mare has had a bad habit of rearing in the starting gates in the past, which has been the undoing of her several times.

“We thought she was over that when we started using the barrier blanket but she did it again at Woodville.’’

That run, on May 9, was Lincoln’s Gal’s first race for three and a half months and, after being awkwardly away, and settling a long way back, she was caught wide mounting her run.

Doing her best work at the finish, the I Am Invincible mare did well to get within 3.9 lengths of the winner, Stand Tall.

Latta says she’s very pleased with the way Lincoln’s Gal has grown and matured this time in and her good barrier of four should allow Riddell to get a nice possie and be right in the finish.

Before being spelled in January, Lincoln’s Gal ran two very good seconds, beaten a short neck at Wairarapa and half a length at Trentham.

Authentic Charm (race 6) is backing up from last Thursday when 1400 metres on a heavy 10 track at Otaki found her out.

“It’s not ideal backing her up so quickly but this will be one of the last good tracks we get - it’s a dead 4 today,” says Latta.

“I thought a claim would help her so we’ve got the in-form Zinjete Moki who claims 2kg down to 54.5kg.

“She’s got another awkward draw but she’s better at 1200 metres and this looks a nice race for her.

“It will be her last run for the season. She’s a typical Per Incanto - they’re better with a bit of time.’’

Latta will scratch Platinum Appeal from the meeting.

“She hasn’t been 100% in her action in the last three or four days and we have some foot issues to sort out. We’ll wait for Palmy next week.’’