Chris Johnson brings Platinum Invador back to scale after running third in the New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie.
Aussie bookies brace for the Invador - he’s even short on the first Melbourne Cup market!
By Barry Lichter • 11 March 2019
New Zealand Derby placegetter Platinum Invador will be on a plane across the Tasman in two weeks - but, incredibly, he’s already on the radar of Australian bookies.
Eight months out from the Melbourne Cup, Platinum Invador has appeared in Sportsbet’s first odds for the Flemington two-miler.
He is rated 25th equal as a tight $41 chance behind the early favourite, last year’s winner Cross Counter at $17, with 2017 winner Rekindling on $26.
The only other New Zealanders on the list are New Zealand Cup winner Bizzwinkle ($101), yesterday’s Auckland Cup runners Blue Breeze ($301) and Sir Charles Road ($301), Zacada ($301) and Tavlin ($501).
Seeing the horse grouped with some of the world’s best stayers shocked Neville McAlister, who races the horse with Lincoln Farms, considering no real consideration has even been given to the November feature.
A more pertinent quote is the $15 and $6 which TAB bookies have on Platinum Invador for the A$2 million Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on April 6.
That’s the race that trainer Lisa Latta has targetted for the horse who will fly to Sydney on March 26 and have his lead-up at Rosehill four days later in the Group II A$200,000 Tulloch Stakes (2000m).
McAlister says Platinum Invador has enjoyed a week’s R and R in the paddock since his eye-catching and unlucky late closing third in the derby.
Today he will start a week on the water walker.
“We just want to keep him off his legs as long as we can. Then he’ll have about a week at Lisa’s before flying out.’’
Fellow Kiwis also in the Australian Derby market are Surely Sacred, Vernanme, Arrogant and Cutadeel.
The Melbourne Cup odds which shocked part-owner Neville McAlister
More news in Gallops
Hawk will need the run but don’t poo-poo the form from the Castlepoint Beach races
Visor blinkers switch on Lincoln King in hard-fought first hurdles win at Ballarat
Promising pair extend picket fence form lines but soon to go into winter quarters
Atta boy Billy, your timing to erase the recent pain was brilliant - and so was Opie’s
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Lisa’s comments
Thursday at Otaki
Race 7: Lincoln Falls
4.23pm
“I thought it was a great run at Otaki where he was beaten on the line coming off a one week back-up. He sets up a lot nicer here with 12 days between races. He came through that last run really well and drops down to 53kg. Ace Lawson-Carroll should be able to get into a nice position from the six draw and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him right in the finish again.”
Lisa’s comments
Saturday at Wanganui
Race 2: Lincoln’s Kruz
12.45pm
“ I thought he was very gallant last start finishing fifth on a heavy track, which we know doesn’t suit him. We should be running on a track in the soft range on Saturday which I think will play into his favour. He is going to need a touch of luck from the nine draw, but this is certainly the weakest field he has come up against for some time. Ace Lawson-Carroll will ride claiming 2kg.”