Latta has high opinion of Platinum Attack

[Wandering Eyes]

The rise of promising sprinter Platinum Attack (Santos) continued at Trentham on Saturday, claiming his fourth win on the bounce in The Oaks Stud Premier (1200m).

First appearing on race-day in mid-December, Platinum Attack showed ability on debut, and two starts later, commenced an impressive winning hat-trick that earned the son of Santos second favouritism ($4.80) for the opener at the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes raceday.

With Johnathan Riddell on board, Platinum Attack flew the gates and settled in the one-one, although giving his rider some stress when over racing with the leisurely tempo up-front set by Ima Brazen One.

The unique Trentham dog-leg caused several of the less experienced three-year-old’s to race greenly upon straightening, but when Platinum Attack found clear air, he wouldn’t let up when challenged by Koheroa, holding on to extended his winning streak by half a neck.

Riddell has guided Platinum Attacks in five of his six starts, and indicated there is plenty more to come from the lightly-tried gelding.

“He’s a horse with a lot of upside, he’s still so raw and green at the moment, so what he’s doing, he’ll just improve on. It was a good strong win,” Riddell said.

“I was hoping to be a little bit further back than I was, but he bounced and put himself there. He’s done it quite comfortably.

“The stable has had a high opinion of him right the way through, he was a little disappointing at his second start where the track tripped him up, but he hasn’t looked back since.”

Platinum Attack’s Awapuni-based trainer Lisa Latta was thrilled post-race, and indicated there may now be a black-type opportunity on the cards later this month.

“I was absolutely rapt with him, he’s a horse that is just getting better and better,” she said.

“This was the strongest field he’s been up against, and he got a lovely run. They did go quite slowly in front so he got up travelling quite keenly, and to his credit, he dug deep.”

“We’ll see how he pulls up as he’s come a long way and there is the three-year-old 1200m race at Te Rapa later in the month.”

Latta was referring to the Gr.2 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), run on the 27^th of April at the Waikato venue.

Bred by Aquis Farm, G1G Racing & Breeding and Fly Horse, Platinum Attack was purchased by owners Neville McAlister and Lincoln Farms Bloodstock for $37,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Weanling Sale.

From six starts, Platinum Attack has recorded four victories and $97,435 in stakes earnings.

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