Lisa’s Star on the rise again and this Lincoln is looking a million dollars for Waverley

Trainer Lisa Latta is hoping Lincoln Star can keep the ball rolling for her at Waverley on Sunday after she finally broke her season drought yesterday.

The first three months of the season have been unusually lean for Latta who posted only four winners.

But on Friday, on her home track at Awapuni, she racked up three winners and and other four place getters from only eight races, impressive debutant Wild Moose, Sir Nate and Akela Belle putting the purple colours back where they belong.

Lisas Latta … back in the winners’ circle with three wins on Friday.On Sunday, when she has six Lincoln Farms horses entered, Lincoln Star has the best credentials after his return to form at Otaki nine days ago.

Latta isn’t worried about the quick back-up - she did it with the horse this time last year when he just lost out in a photo finish.

“He’s looking a million dollars and the track should really suit him,” says Latta.

On an improving track, rated this morning a slow 7, and with a fine weather forecast, Latta expects Lincoln Star to excel.

The going was a slow 9 at Otaki when Jonathan Riddell rode the perfect race on Lincoln Star, getting him handy, taking the lead early in the run home, and holding on strongly.

He drops 2kg to 57kg on Sunday, up from a rating 65 event to a rating 74, but the field doesn’t look up to much.

Lincoln Star has won previously at Waverley and Latta is keen for him to earn more ratings points.

“He is at a really awkward place in the ratings at 67, so another win would get him into the better fields on a Saturday.”

Blinkers go on Lincoln’s Kruz on Sunday.Latta is trying blinkers on Lincoln’s Kruz (race three) on Sunday on the recommendation of Riddell who found the horse to be quite lazy when he rode him into fourth at Otaki.

Lincoln’s Kruz didn’t quite see the race out there after being handy and wide but Latta believes he can be more competitive on Sunday in a field lacking exposed form.

“The draw’s a little tricky but hopefully, with the hood on, he will show some gate speed and put himself in the first four or five with cover.

“He has come through last week’s run really well and will appreciate the track getting back to the dead range. It was a little wet for him the other day.”

A freshened Lincoln Town (race two) looks the best chance at longer odds.

He is better than his form would suggest and Latta says the horse has shown a liking for Waverley when trialled there.

“He should get a perfect dead track, he jumps from a nice draw and races on the pace, and it doesn’t look to be an overly strong field.

“I have brought him back to 1400 metres, which has been his best distance, even though on his work you would swear he is going to get over ground.”

Scratchings will decide whether Latta starts Lincoln Green (race four) and Lincoln Hanover (race six) who both have killer outside draws.

Lincoln Lane (race 11) is resuming and needs a middle distance.