Lincoln Green knockout Hawera chance fresh-up at juicy odds of $21 and $6

With an unbeaten fresh-up record, Lincoln Green looks to be at very generous odds at Hawera on Saturday, the bookies offering $21 and $6 for him in the last race.

Lincoln Green resumes from a seven-month break with a perfect first-up record to his name, winning at the start of both his previous campaigns, each at Saturday’s 1400 metres.

Lincoln Farms’ five-year-old will start from a handy draw, and will get a 1kg relief in weight, top apprentice Kozzi Asano bringing his 60kg top weight down to 59kg.

Trainer Lisa Latta reports Lincoln Green is in great shape for his return.

“He looks fantastic. He’s a big, strong horse and I’m happy with his work. He’s ready to run a big race in what is not an overly strong field.”

While Lincoln Green has not trialled, he had a pipe opener at the Levin jumpouts on September 16 when unplaced being stablemate and race rival The Rippa ($8.50) on an unsuitably heavy track.

“We’re going to get a nice track to kick him off on and it looks like he’ll start from seven which will be a lovely draw for him to get a good run.”

Lincoln Green, who is a bold on-pace runner, has scored his wins on dead4 and dead6 tracks, carrying 57.5kg and 58.5kg. The track was a dead5 this morning with no rain forecast before Saturday.

Lincoln Farms’ other two starters are also at long odds, Lincoln’s Kruz a $21 chance in the third race and Father Lenihan quoted at $23 in the eighth.

Lincoln’s Kruz was disappointing at Hastings on September 19, Latta unable to make any excuses for him.

“He seems to be going through one of those battling stages at the moment - his coat hasn’t turned yet - but I’m hoping having a strong rider like Johnathan Parkes will help him on Saturday.”

Latta doesn’t know yet who will rider Father Lenihan but she is hanging out for Hazel Schofer who will become free should Allan Sharrock decide not to start Our Hail Mary from her extreme outside gate.

Father Lenihan was an upset winner first-up at this meeting last year but is at a disadvantage this time from a wide gate. He drew 17 but could come in to 12 when the ballots come out.

“I am a bit concerned by the wide draw - he’ll need to jump smartly - but I would like to get this first-up run out of the way as there is a nice option for him at Awapuni at the end of the month over 1600 metres.

“His summer coat is through and he is looking really well.”