Platinum Lincoln (NZ) raced right up to his looks and pedigree to win the South Island Sale Hcp (1200m) at Riccarton on Saturday.

Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta declared the gelding could put himself into contention for three year-old feature races after a three-quarter length victory on debut.  “He’s a gorgeous horse and a pleasure to do anything with,” Latta said.  “He had a jump-out at home a couple of weeks ago and has taken natural improvement from that.”

Platinum Lincoln (3g Iffraaj – Midnight Call by Jetball) proved too good for his more experienced rivals defeating last-start winner Cheeky Tart (Edenwold).  “I would have been quite happy if he had run in the first three,” Latta added.  “We’ll take him home and see what happens.”

His sire Iffraaj (Zafonic) was Europe’s Champion first-season sire in 2010 with G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Wootton Bassett leading the way among a record 38 individual winners.  He shuttles to Haunui Farm.

Platinum Lincoln was bred by Awapuni trainer Gary Vile.  He prepared G3 placed Midnight Call and also trained several of her close relations including the stakes winners Tough Call (Val Dansant), Call Spades (Val Dansant) and Gentle Call (Classic Fame).

Latta also has a close working knowledge of the family as her G3 Challenge Stakes winner Justanexcuse (No Excuse Needed) also features in the pedigree, as does the G1 Queensland Oaks and G1 New Zealand Stakes winner Scarlett Lady (Savabeel).

Platinum Lincoln is raced by Lincoln Farms and Neville McAllister and cost $60,000 out of the Goodwood Stud draft at the 2009 NZ Bloodstock Select Sale.