Lincoln Towers lands hat-trick for leading rider and there’s more where that came from

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.”