Platinum Rapper (Chris Johnson) out on their own at the finish in slow conditions at Otaki. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images
Rapper working on her beats for Christchurch so keep the volume down on Sunday
By Barry Lichter • 21 March 2019
Trainer Lisa Latta is the first to admit Sunday’s race at Tauherenikau isn’t ideal for Platinum Rapper.
But the run is all about fitting the promising filly for her upcoming southern targets where she can earn valuable black type.
Platinum Rapper runs in the sixth race, a rating 72 event over 1600 metres, with much stronger opposition than she beat first-up at Otaki.
But, more importantly, the conditions are likely to be too firm for the filly who revelled on a rain-affected slow 7 track at Otaki two weeks ago.
While the track condition was reported this morning as a dead 4, a fine forecast this weekend is expected to see it improve to good.
“There are some handy types in it and they might go a bit quick for her on a good track,’’ says Latta. “But this was the only option before heading south.’’
Latta is hoping Tauherenikau lives up to its history of not getting overly hard as there is no doubting Platinum Rapper is happiest with give in the ground.
“This race will tidy her up to head south.
“So long as she’s running home nicely, and hopefully finishing in the first four, I’ll be happy.’’
The first of the two races Latta has aimed Platinum Rapper at is the $50,000 NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton on April 6. A week later she will tackle the $50,000 NZB Warstep Stakes (2000m).
Lincoln Hanover … set to run well again on Sunday despite a bad draw. PHOTO: Royden Williams.Latta’s second runner for Lincoln Farms on Sunday, Lincoln Hanover, has drawn the outside of the gate in the opening race, tempering Latta’s confidence a little.
“We’ll have to be a bit positive on him at the start or he’ll get flushed out wide but he has the tactical speed to get across them.
“The step-up to 1400 metres will definitely help him and, while the top two horses look hard to beat, he is capable of taking this out.
“He’s done very well since his first-up run at Awapuni and continues to please me.’’
Lincoln Hanover looked good when running third fresh-up at Awapuni at the start of the month, leading and trailing before fighting on well to be beaten only a length and a nose.
Latta predicted the horse would run far better than his form that day, pointing punters into a $3.50 place dividend.
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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.”