Lincoln’s Kruz is cruising under Lisa Allpress at the finish of the Pegasus Stakes. PHOTO: Ajay Berry/Race Images.
Pressure? What pressure, says Lisa - Kruz support nothing like the Boys Get Paid plonk
By Barry Lichter • 14 November 2022
Update: Postponed until Monday after a horse slipped in the third race.
Trainer Lisa Latta is feeling no pressure even though Lincoln’s Kruz has been strongly backed to win Saturday’s $120,000 Stewards Stakes at Riccarton.
Lincoln’s Kruz opened at a quote of $5 after his cruisy win in last Saturday’s $80,000 Pegasus Stakes but has been backed in to equal $4.20 favourite with Guy Lowry’s fresh-up runner Can I Get An Amen.
But Latta reckons that’s no stress compared with what she felt when saddling up He’s A Doozy for yesterday’s $300,000 Couplands Mile.
Latta knew the Social Media group Boys Get Paid had plonked $60,000 on her horse to win $330,000, and so when Kick On closed within half a neck of He’s A Doozy at the line, her heart rate was through the roof.
The win continued a great trot for Latta at the carnival, after Belclare took out another Group III race earlier in the card, the Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes.
Four of her six horses at the carnival have now scored and she’s hoping for more success with Lincoln’s Kruz on Saturday.
“I didn’t think the field looked too strong,” Latta said. “He beat five of them the other day and stays on the same weight. It’s nice to get into these feature races on such a light weight.”
While Lincoln’s Kruz meets Rockland (2nd), Buoyant (3rd), Burgundy Rose (5th), Challa (6th) and Okay Pal (7th) 1kg worse off, he still carries only 53kg.
Of slight concern is his barrier eight, compared with the inside draw of three last Saturday, Latta previously emphasising the importance of his drawing in close.
“But they were racing in the middle of the track on Wednesday, with the track a bit worn on the inside, and I’m hoping they’ll do the same on Saturday.
“The horse looks fantastic. I wouldn’t say he’s improved since the Pegasus but he recovered well from it.”
Lincoln’s Kruz steps up from his pet 1000 metres to 1200 metres on Saturday but he has scored twice at the extra trip, at Otaki and Trentham.
“If they go hard and Lisa (Allpress) gets him to settle he’ll get his chance.”
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Lisa’s comments
Saturday at New Plymouth
Race 2: Platinum Tyche
12.55pm
“She should get perfect conditions, with the fire just out of the track, and 1800 metres is also a distance which I think will really suit her. Her work on Tuesday morning was as good as it has ever been and this looks a winnable race for her at $9.50 and $2.50. She has a beautiful draw of two and is in an early race before the track can chop out. Having Bruno Queiroz back on is another real positive. This will probably be her last run before she heads to the paddock and she will only continue to get better next preparation.”