It’s a hat-trick for Warren Kennedy as Lincoln Towers cruises home on Friday. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images.
Lincoln Towers lands hat-trick for leading rider and there’s more where that came from
By Barry Lichter • 6 July 2024
Blinkers and the skills of leading rider Warren Kennedy saw Lincoln Towers find the winner’s circle for the first time at Awapuni on Friday.
The rangy galloper was one of four wins on the day for trainer Lisa Latta and gave Kennedy a hat-trick, shooting him 10 wins clear on the premiership over the injured Michael McNab.
Lincoln Towers was perfectly positioned in the trail by Kennedy, who eased him out before the turn and powered to the front 200 metres from home.
From there the three-year-old was never going to be caught and he crossed the line one and three-quarter lengths clear of Jazz The Dragon.
In just his second season here, the former South African premiership winner now sits on 129 wins and looks headed for his first title here in just his second year.
Latta lies third on the trainers’ premiership with 62 wins and the way Lincoln Towers is improving, he could add to her tally before the end of the month.
“I don’t see why he couldn’t go on with it now,” said Lincoln Farms’ business manager Ian Middleton.
“He’s been very big and weak and has just needed time to strengthen up. But we always knew he had a bit of talent - he was placed on debut 17 months ago.”
Bought by John and Lynne Street for $130,000 at the ready-to-run sale in November 2022, the U S Navy Flag gelding is now raced with a Lincoln Farms’ partner Paul Wyatt, along with clients of Latta’s stable, Stuart Dais, Neil and Carolynne Fergus, Ross Brader, Arthur von Sturmer and Ian Wyeth.
He is bred to be a winner, a product of Pencarrow Stud and, while his dam Palace Gardens was unraced, she hails from a super successful family.
Names like third dam Our Echezeaux and fourth dam Richebourg are legendary and the family has produced headline gallopers Grand Echezeaux, Darci Brahma, Romanee Conti and Ethereal.
Latta telegraphed her confidence in Lincoln Towers’ chances on Friday when she revealed how well he’d been working since the addition of blinkers.
Promising apprentice Ace Lawson-Carroll recommended the head gear after he rode the horse in his previous start on the synthetic track when an unlucky fourth.
Latta’s son Josh Herd confirmed the blinkers really seemed to sharpen up Lincoln Towers and said the win would hopefully give him a lot more confidence.
“He should get over a longer distance too, 1700 metres to 2000 metres should really suit him.”
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Lisa’s comments
Saturday at Trentham
Race 2: Platinum Tyche
1.05pm
“This is a big drop-back in class for her as her last two races have been very strong rating 75s. The track at Otaki was particularly wet and she just didn’t handle it. She has come through that run in fantastic order and is very bright and well. She shouldn’t be too far off the leaders from the good draw and I expect her to bounce back to form providing we get a decent track.”
Race 8: Platinum Attack
4.43pm
“He drew the outside barrier in this race last year and has been dealt the same card again. He couldn’t be looking any better though and his work has been phenomenal. He is right where he needs to be to win a race like this. We are going to need some luck from the draw but Craig Grylls knows him well now and I thought that he is certainly one of the better horses in the race. If he gets clear air at the right time then he will finish with a big run.”