Handy three-year-old Lantern Way returned to his best at Wanganui on Saturday with the aid of a gear change paving the way for a visit to the winners’ enclosure following the running of the Commdives NZ 3YO (1340m).
The strapping son of Satono Aladdin had looked to have immense promise when he took out the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Hastings back in September last year, and followed up with a meritorious fifth in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) before heading to the spelling paddock.
Much was expected upon his return to racing last month but a middling effort for seventh in the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) at Trentham and an abject failure next up at the same venue left trainer Lisa Latta scratching her head.
The Manawatu mentor added a tongue tie to his gear for Saturday and he produced in fine style as he stormed home in the hands of Jonathan Riddell to head Matamata filly Loch Katrine in the shadows of the post and register his second career victory.
“We left Wellington pretty dejected three weeks ago as he was gone a long way out,” Latta said.
“We couldn’t put it down to a lot, so we added the tongue tie, and he looked super today.
“I was a little bit worried about the real heavy track (Heavy 8) but he has dug deep to win.
“While the weather is still good, we will put him out for six weeks then have him ready for Hastings in the Spring.
“He has always shown a lot and he is an absolute beauty.”
Riddell also made mention of his disappointment in Lantern Way’s Trentham run.
“I was so frustrated last start as I went to races and thought he would win but he dropped out,” he said.
“He went through his gears today coming around the corner and that tongue tie has helped.
“He is a lovely horse, so nice around the stable and he is one on my favourites.”.
Lantern Way was bred by Rich Hill Thoroughbreds, who will stand his sire Satono Aladdin for a service fee of $65,000 + GST in the upcoming 2024 breeding season.
Rich Hill offered Lantern Way as a yearling in Book 2 at Karaka in 2022, where Latta secured him for $40,000. His eleven-start career has now produced two wins and four placings, earning more than $184,000 in stakes.