Sam Collett will stick with Kamanda Lincoln on Saturday. PHOTO: Race Images.
Kamanda Lincoln scrapes into Wellington Cup
By Barry Lichter • 13 January 2019
Kamanda Lincoln has scraped into Saturday’s Wellington Cup as the 18th and final qualifier and is primed to run better than his $61 odds would suggest.
Trainer Lisa Latta was very happy with the way the horse performed yesterday in the Trentham Stakes when fourth to Consensus despite being badly off at the set weights over only 2100 metres, a distance well short of his best.
On Saturday he drops 2kg to just 53 kg and gets over 3200 metres for the first time, a trip Latta says will suit his never-say-die style.
“Realistically he was never a winning chance yesterday,’’ says Latta. “He didn’t get in well at the weights - he was giving a Group I winner (Consensus) 2kg - and it was too short for him.
“Sam (Collett) said he was held up a little turning in but he kept grinding away.
“And she’s staying with him for the cup which is great.’’
Kamanda Lincoln showed just how beneficial a good barrier draw is for him yesterday when from the inside gate he jumped out well and slotted straight into the box seat.
While outsprinted down the home stretch he kept giving to finish only one and a half lengths from runner-up Hank Moody who squeezed him up a little late.
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Lisa’s comments
Saturday at Otaki
Race 3: Platinum Tyche
1:19pm
“I couldn’t be happier with her work and she has certainly improved from her first-up run when she did not have all favours. I don’t think it’s the strongest of fields and the forecast is looking good so I think she will get her chance to bounce back to winning form. Bruno Queiroz rides from gate four.”
Race 5: Platinum Attack
2:29pm
“He drew badly in 19 but they will start only 14 so he will come in to 13 or 14. The positive is there is good speed in the race with Shoes, Party Rocking and Idyllic who all go forward. I couldn’t be happier with him - his final work on Wednesday morning on the course proper was as strong as ever. He still has his summer coat and is looking fantastic. It’s a similar field to the one he beat last start at Trentham and Bruno Queiroz just needs to find some luck in the running.”