Thrilling comeback by injury-plagued Lincoln Falls rates right up there for the Streets

Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street have won more than 1000 races, many at the very highest level, but few were as thrilling as that recorded by Lincoln Falls at Otaki today.

When the now eight-year-old romped to a three and three-quarter length win it ended nearly five years of frustration for the Streets and their partners in the once top-rated galloper.

Lincoln Falls was trialling so well early in his career the Streets turned a million dollars for him but in the cruellest of fates he twice injured a tendon and spent a total of two and a half years in the spelling paddock.

As recently as two weeks ago, after eight fruitless starts in his latest campaign, John Street told trainer Lisa Latta that he would retire Lincoln Falls if he didn’t show up in two more starts.

“But Lisa said he’d go close with a bit of rain and today our luck turned.

“That would be one of my most satisfying wins after waiting for so long and it looks like he might go on with it now on some of the softer tracks in the autumn.”

Street said it was understandable that Lincoln Falls would take time to recapture form given how long he’d been on the sideline.

“We actually had no intention of racing him again after he did the tendon a second time.”

Lincoln Falls was brought down form his hill paddock prior to putting him on a float to the Ohaupo rehoming operation EventStars.

But rider Jonathan Riddell pointed out how good his leg looked and a subsequent exam by vet Tim Pearse confirmed the tendon was dead straight.

“We did stem cell surgery the first time but not the second and it shows natural healing works if you give them enough time.”

Street said he was delighted for his partners in the horse, Taupo’s Christopher Grace and his Sixforsixty syndicate.

“Chris was happy to stay in the horse for another try and it’s good for them to get a payday.”

Latta said Lincoln Falls, “a horse with a ton of ability” had just been looking for some fire out of the track.

She praised the ride of apprentice Ace Lawson-Carroll who claimed 3kg off the horse’s 59kg weight.

“He’s an up-and-coming apprentice who can use his brain.”

Ridden right behind the speed, Lincoln Falls took over before the turn and won untested to win his first race for three years and two months.

His $23,000 purse took his record to four wins from just 21 starts and $98,000 in stakes.

Platinum Attack (Jonathan Riddell) shades Perfectsister at the finish. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images.The Streets were in the money again one race later when talented three-year-old Platinum Attack showed grit to score his second win from only four starts.

Raced by the Streets and long-time partner Neville McAlister, Platinum Attack franked his previous win at Tauherenikau, downing Perfectsister by a long neck.

“He’s a pretty smart horse,” Latta said.

“Mentally he’s taken a little bit of time so we’ve just taken him along very quietly.

“I was a bit concerned today when the showers came. Second-up when he was beaten as a red hot favourite it was quite an off track and he didn’t handle it.

“But Jonathan got him out from the good draw into centre track.”

Street said the likely plan now was to set Platinum Attack for a $40,000 race over 1000 metre races at Trentham on March 9, rather than the $175,000 Wellington Guineas a week later.

“But we think he could eventually go to Group I level.”