Gold Cup distance short of Invador’s best but blinkers have really sharpened him up

Auckland Cup winner Platinum Invador has responded so well to galloping in blinkers, trainer Lisa Latta believes he can get some of the money over the sharper distance of Saturday’s $140,000 Awapuni Gold Cup.

In the three weeks since Platinum Invador won the cup over 3200 metres at Pukekohe, Latta has tried the horse in blinkers in readiness for the switch back to 2000 metres on Saturday.

And Latta says the seven-year-old’s work has been even better than his training before the Auckland Cup.

“His work in blinkers has been absolutely fantastic and I can’t fault him.

“He has relaxed nicely in them and when asked to go, he just quickens up so well. On Tuesday morning, out on the course proper, he let down fantastically over the last 200 metres.

“I think the blinkers will do the job on Saturday. They have really sharpened him up.”

Latta knows that Platinum Invador will need a solid tempo to get into the race for new rider Jason Laking, especially from his extreme outside draw, which means he will have to go back early.

And with fast horses in the field, like her other runner, Couplands Mile and Thorndon Mile winner He’s A Doozy (Jonathan Riddell), Platinum Invador will have to be right on his game.

“But the way he’s worked, I think he can get some of it. I’ll be very interested to see, if he gets cover and switches off, how well he lets down.”

Platinum Invador won two races over 2100 metres earlier in his career, both at Otaki against inferior opposition, but he has been most competitive in recent seasons over 2400 metres and further.

Bookies have opened Platinum Invador fifth equal favourite with Colorado Star at $10.

Queensland Derby winner Pinarello holds top billing at $3.50 followed by Brando at $4.80, He’s A Doozy at $5.50 and Llanacord at $9.