Platinum Rapper, pictured winning in heavy 11 conditions, is being aimed at fillies’ races at Riccarton next month.
Rapper loves the beat of rain and metservice is predicting torrential downpours on Friday
By Barry Lichter • 6 March 2019
Predicted downpours on Friday morning at Otaki would play into the hands of the promising Platinum Rapper but almost certainly rule out a start for Platinum Mam’selle.
The met office is forecasting 50ml of rain to fall in the area on race morning, a scenario which trainer Lisa Latta says would force her to withdraw Platinum Mam’selle, who has shown a real dislike of rain-affected ground.
Platinum Rapper, on the other hand, needs rain to show her best - it’s just a question of whether she is fit enough to cope with extremely wet conditions.
The Makfi filly has not raced for nine months, when she ran a solid fifth, despite a rocky run, in a Listed race at Te Rapa.
Before that she powered home to win at Awapuni in heavy 11 conditions, proving wet tracks hold no fears for her.
Latta says while Platinum Rapper has been working well she expects she will need the outing.
“Her work has been good but she is still carrying a bit of condition so will improve with the run.’’
Latta says Platinum Rapper needs a couple of lead-up races before she takes her south to Riccarton for fillies’ races next month, chasing black type for her pedigree page.
On her programme are the $50,000 NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) on April 6 and the $50,000 NZB Warstep Stakes (2000m) a week later.
Latta has engaged leading rider Chris Johnson for Platinum Rapper who goes into Friday’s race with one jumpout and one trial under her belt.
In the latest, on February 19, she was doing her best late when fourth of six in a 1000 metre open trial at Awapuni.
Platinum Mam’selle again showed her dislike of wet ground when leading, trailing but beating only one home at Otaki last start on slow 8 ground.
Latta previously raced the Fighting Sun filly in a tongue tie but, suspecting she might be resenting it, she has changed her bit to one which prevents her from getting her tongue back.
“But if the track is any worse than dead she’d be a doubtful starter.’’
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Lisa’s comments
Saturday at Otaki
Race 3: Platinum Tyche
1:19pm
“I couldn’t be happier with her work and she has certainly improved from her first-up run when she did not have all favours. I don’t think it’s the strongest of fields and the forecast is looking good so I think she will get her chance to bounce back to winning form. Bruno Queiroz rides from gate four.”
Race 5: Platinum Attack
2:29pm
“He drew badly in 19 but they will start only 14 so he will come in to 13 or 14. The positive is there is good speed in the race with Shoes, Party Rocking and Idyllic who all go forward. I couldn’t be happier with him - his final work on Wednesday morning on the course proper was as strong as ever. He still has his summer coat and is looking fantastic. It’s a similar field to the one he beat last start at Trentham and Bruno Queiroz just needs to find some luck in the running.”