Fact-finding mission at Trentham next Saturday for Lightning fast Platinum Attack

Weather and barrier draw permitting, impressive Lightning Handicap winner Platinum Attack will back up in Saturday’s $110,000 Flying Handicap at Trentham.

In what co-owner Neville McAlister and trainer Lisa Latta describe as a fact-finding mission, the five-year-old will tilt at 1400 metres for only the third time to hopefully give his connections confidence he can see out the longer distance.

While Platinum Attack was dominant in downing Navigator yesterday, clocking a slick 1:08.02 for the 1200 metres, he has yet to prove he can run out 1400 metres strongly.

“We need to know if can set him for the Group I Proisir Plate in the spring rather than going down to Riccarton and it doesn’t matter if he doesn’t win, so long as he’s finishing on.”

The Proisir Plate, formerly known as the Tarzino Trophy, is the first Group I race of the new season in September and was won this season by Quintessa, the race switched to Ellerslie with Hastings out of action.

“I think he’ll be fine so long as he’s tucked away with cover. He relaxes that way so in theory he should get the distance.”

The jury remained out after the BCD Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa in February when he finished sixth, less than four lengths from the winner First Five, but was trapped three wide all the way.

Platinum Attack has Navigator well covered at the finish of the Lightning. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images.Two factors could see the horse stay home in his box next weekend, however, with McAlister saying he needs to have everything in his favour for the exercise to be successful.

“If he draws the outside, there’s no point in running. He’d have to drop back as we know if he goes forward he’d pull himself into the deck.”

But, most important, Platinum Attack will need a dry deck, something which has eluded him for much of the season.

“On the current forecast he wouldn’t be running - rain is forecast for Thursday, Friday and on race morning - but we’ll nominate and hope. At this time of the year forecasts a week out can change dramatically.”

McAlister doesn’t see an issue with Platinum Attack backing up so quickly for only the second time in his career.

“We’ve spaced his races all year to keep him fresh. But at 1400 he needs the top knocked off him and now that he’s had a decent hit-out, he should be fine. On the back-up he won’t pull.”

If everything doesn’t line up in the horse’s favour next Saturday, he will be reserved for the 1200 metre $80,000 City Of Napier Sprint at Otaki on April 11.

“That will be his last run before going to the paddock.”

Despite scoring against lesser opposition yesterday, McAlister still thinks Platinum Attack, whom he races with Lincoln Farms’ John and Lynne Street, is up to Group I company.

“The problem with him is he’s a one-trick pony and things have to go his way on the day.”

McAlister compared the horse with his pervious ill-fated star Platinum Kingdom: “With Platinum Kingdom it didn’t matter if it was wet or dry, he got on with it and did the job.”

But after yesterday no-one would dispute just how potent Platinum Attack is on dry footing.

After getting cover early behind Miss Jones, Platinum Attack was pushed out by the erratic-running The Princie One and exposed well before the junction.

“But he didn’t pull as hard for Bruno (Queiroz). He’s won a lot of races for us this year - horses seem to travel for him.”

And after idling up to leader Poetic Champion, Platinum Attack quickly put the issue beyond doubt with a dazzling turn of foot, carving out the final 400 metres in 22.55 and 200 in 11.83.

“It looked easy because Bruno was riding hands and heels but he wouldn’t have given any more with the stick as he naturally gives 100 percent.”

The $74,750 winner’s purse took Platinum Attack’s bankroll to $400,285, his record an enviable seven wins from just 22 starts, four of them at Trentham.

McAlister just wishes that, for once, we could get a dry January when the big money is up for races like the Telegraph.