First time at Te Rapa a query but Invador steps up to his favourite trip on Saturday

Update: Late scratched Saturday afternoon after track downgrade to heavy 8

How Platinum Invador performs in Saturday’s $120,000 Waikato Cup will shape his summer schedule.

It will be the first time the horse has raced at Te Rapa, a factor which trainer Lisa Latta is aware might play a part in the result.

“He’s bever been there before, and it’s a horses for courses track, but I thought this was a good time to try him out,” Latta said.

One of the country’s most successful stayers before injuring a tendon in Queensland, Platinum Invador has a raft of big money races on his immediate agenda, two of which will be contested at Te Rapa.

With Ellerslie’s track under reconstruction, the QEII Cup on New Year’s Day is set down for Te Rapa and the horse also holds a nomination for the Herbie Dyke Stakes there on February 23.

Latta has also entered the horse for the Wellington Cup on January 28 and the Auckland Cup at Pukekohe on March 11.

His Te Rapa initiation aside, Latta is expecting a big effort from the now seven-year-old on Saturday, the cup being his third run back, and contested over his favourite trip, 2400 metres.

Ryan Elliot came close to winning on Platinum Invador in the 2021 City Of Auckland Cup when nosed out by Savy Yong Blonk. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Platinum Invador has never failed to weigh in over 2400 metres in New Zealand, his five attempts producing a win in the City Of Auckland Cup, seconds in the City Of Auckland Cup and Avondale Cup, a third in the New Zealand Derby and a fourth in the Avondale Cup.

“He’s come up really well,” Latta said. “He’s definitely a top three or four chance.

“You always worry when you’ve got to carry that much weight (58.5kg) in these big races, especially when there are a lot of lighweight chances.

“It’s pretty hard to go right back at Te Rapa and be a winning chance carrying that much weight but he’s drawn eight so you’d think he can possie up in midfield.”

Latta will be hoping Platinum Invador doesn’t begin as slowly as he did last start when fourth in the Wanganui Cup (2040m), when he settled last in the running.

He made good ground late, not a pattern on the day, and had to lump 60kg, compared with the first three home who had only 53kg and 54.5kg.

Latta is hoping the weather forecast doesn’t change and force a track downgrade from today’s good 4.

“I’d be reluctant to line him up if the track got too wet. We could always wait for the Manawatu Cup next week.”

Platinum Invador’s first two runs have been on heavy 8 and soft 7 tracks, not surfaces he particularly likes.

Given reasonable conditions on Satuday, Latta is looking for a bold performance when Ryan Elliot will be looking for his first win on the horse at his fifth ride.

“His work has been great and he should be able to bounce back to form in a field like this considering some of the better chances have drawn out wide.”

Platinum Invador is at $12 and $3.80 on the fixed odds market.