Masa Tanaka is hoping Trentham can again play host for him winning another Group One race when he teams up with Lincoln Blue in Saturday's Gr.1 Randwick Meats Levin Classic (1600m).
The Palmerston North jockey claimed his only Group One win when he rode the rail home in the 2011 Thorndon Mile aboard Booming at the Wellington venue.
Tanaka has guided the Lisa Latta-trained Savabeel colt Lincoln Blue to stakes wins at his past two starts in the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Trentham and the Listed Race 4 Life 3YO Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie.
"I haven't ridden him since that last race but Lisa told me his trackwork has been very good," Tanaka said."His wins were in easier fields and this time we are up against better horses so it's a good test for him. He's got an awkward barrier draw but he's got good gate speed and he'll go forward. I expect him to go a really good race. I'm looking forward to seeing how good he is."
Tanaka rated Lincoln Blue as the best three-year-old he has ridden, placing him slightly ahead of Survived, whom he rode to win the Gr.3 Hawke's Bay Cup (2200m) in his three-year-old season in 2013."I've never ridden a Derby horse before. It's a new experience for me so it's a good test for me too," Tanaka said.
Lincoln Blue is the TAB's $10 third favourite behind Hall Of Fame at $2.90 and Savile Row at $4.20 for Saturday’s contest.Tanaka will also shoot for Trentham stakes success aboard Group One winner Iamishwara in the Gr.3 Tui - Backing A Winner Since 1889 Anniversary (1600m) and Kairanga Lad in the Gr.3 Mills Reef Winery Trentham Stakes (2100m).
