Riddell set to Attack on the expected good footing at Tauherenikau on Tuesday

Trainer Lisa Latta is confident we’ll see the real Platinum Attack when he lines up at Tauherenikau on Tuesday.

The promising Santos three-year-old failed as a $2 favourite last start at Otaki on January 4, only battling into fifth for rider Jonathan Riddell, but simply failed to handle the wet track, says Latta.

“Jonathan said the track tripped him up. His legs were going everywhere so we will forgive him that run.”

The track that day was a soft 6 and, while the same rating was posted at Tauherenikau this morning after 4mm of irrigation overnight, a fine and hot forecast is expected to see the footing come back to good.

Those were the same conditions that saw the Lincoln Farms and Neville McAlister-owned galloper run a fine second on debut on December 21, when only greenness cost him. Unleashed for the first time by Riddell he ran around but closed to a long neck of the winner Revolt.

“He’s a lovely horse but he’s still learning and developing,” Latta said.

Platinum Attack showed he was primed for a big effort when last Thursday he was paired with stablemate Platinum Cruiser in a 1000 metre gallop at Awapuni. The pair clocked 1:02.9, good time on the plough and easily the fastest of the morning at the distance.

Platinum Attack, who has opened at $6 and $2.30, has drawn nine in Tuesday’s 1000 metre dash, widest of the five most favoured runners, but Latta says he has the speed to cross them.

“Jonathan will look to go forward and lead and we should see him bounce back. He’s definitely up to winning.”

The task won’t be an easy one, however, with a number of likely types including the impressive Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard-trained grey Shesellsseashells, who is the early $3.50 favourite on the strength of a decisive trial win at Foxton on January 16.

Three runners share the second line on $5 - Fraser Auret’s fast three-year-old Rabega, who boasts a 56.93 clocking when second on debut at Tauherenikau, the consistent Fonsi and the Tivaci filly Rosalita.

Latta also lines up Lincoln Valley ($21) in the race in his first start for more than six months.

The six-year-old ran a good second at the Foxton trials on January 16 behind the talented Sawgrass, who clocked 59.94, the fastest of the 1000 metre heats on the day.

“I thought his trial was very nice and this looks to be a nice starting point for him this campaign.

“We will look to go forward from the 11 draw and put him in the race. He is fit enough to run a bold race.”