President Rules G2 NZB Guineas

Trainer Lisa Latta and owner Lincoln Farms are proving a successful combination in New Zealand's black-type ranks with President Lincoln putting in a big effort to win the $85,000 Group 2 New Zealand Bloodstock Wellington Guineas (1500m) on Saturday.

Last season Lisa Latta and Lincoln Farms also combined to take top honours when their two-year-old Fort Lincoln (Charge Forward) won New Zealand's richest two-year-old race, the $1 million Karaka Million (Res.L).

Bred by Lincoln Farms and ridden by jockey Kelly Myers, President Lincoln (NZ) (O'Reilly x Pinot Gris) was stepping out for just the third time in his career on Saturday, and could not have been more impressive.

The three-year-old travelled nicely and tracked a line of four horses into the straight. Myers then elected to take the gelding to the outside where he contested the lead at the 250 metre mark and strode away, taking the Group 2 by two-and-a-half lengths.

President Lincoln broke his maiden in his last start at Trentham earlier this month and looks a big chance for the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas in November, for which he holds a nomination.

The Kevin Myers trained Karaka graduate Micken (NZ) (Darci Brahma x Battocchi) put in a strong performance coming from five lengths off the pace at the 600 metre mark and closed well on the outside to claim second. He has been racing in solid form this preparation and is another that looks to be heading to the New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton on November 5.

Duckworth Lewis (NZ) (Postponed x Ms Magenta) raced very well to take third on the rail as he made his winning bid on the worst part of the track. He was stakes placed as a two-year-old and ran fourth to Artistic (Darci Brahma) in the Listed Bonecrusher Stakes last month and holds a nomination for the Group 1 Levin Classic on November 25.