Stand by for a vintage effort from Platinum Bordeaux who is maturing like a fine wine

Platinum Bordeaux is first cab off the rank for Lincoln Farms at Trentham on Saturday and in a weak field looks its best chance.

Trainer Lisa Latta has a busy day ahead of her with six runners for Lincoln Farms and nine in all, many of whom are looking for today’s heavy 11 track to dry out in the windy conditions to afford them their best chance.

Platinum Bordeaux, on the other hand, has already shown she can handle very wet tracks, running two thirds in heavy 10 ground.

And Latta is looking forward to seeing what the maturing, staying type filly can do on the roomy Trentham track, with its 450 metre home straight.

“We rode her too handy at Tauherenikau last time out and the plan will be to be more patient on Saturday so she can finish the race off,” says Latta.

Two starts back at Awapuni, the Per Incanto filly came from the rear with a powerful finish, clocking the second fastest last 600 metres in the race.

Latta has designs on black type races later in the season with Platinum Bordeaux so, with a pull in the weights on all her maiden rivals on Saturday, she should really account for them with ease.

In-form jockey Ryan Elliot, who has ridden the filly twice previously, has the mount.

Lincoln Dreamer is another who will revel in the going in the seventh race.

He too, meets a below par lot, and no notice should be taken of his last start duck egg at Hawera when the dead 5 ground was far too good for him and he got too far out of his ground from a wide draw on a day dominated by on-pace runners.

“On Saturday he gets a heavy track and meets a moderate line-up. He is back to 1400 metres and hopefully the track won’t improve too much in the next two days. I am expecting another good effort from him.”

Strong rider Johnathan Parkes will do the honours from gate seven.

Platinum Dubai, outer, scores on debut with the riderless Piaggio inside her. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images.Just how smart debut winner Platinum Dubai handles the heavy ground in the $50,000 Wellesley Stakes remains to be seen.

The Pride Of Dubai filly was quite the professional when she beat three others in slow 8 footing at Otaki on September 26 and Robbie Hannam was very happy with her when she galloped on a dead course proper at Awapuni on Tuesday. Paired with race rival Amosia they were timed over 800 metres in 49.1, the last 600 in 35.9.

“I gave her a week off after she won at Otaki and it has really freshened her up nicely,” says Latta who is keen for the filly to earn valuable black type on Saturday.

Platinum Dubai will have to be right on her game though with Jamie Richards’ Savabeel colt Cool Aza Beel unbeaten in three trials and his only race.

Trio hoping for improved ground

Neither Princess Amelie (race 5), Johnny Lincoln (race 6) nor Platinum Invador (race 8) will be at home in heavy ground.

Princess Amelie races past Malo Bik to score fresh-up at Waverley. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images.Latta says she couldn’t be happier with Princess Amelie, a fresh-up winner at Waverley, but says the track needs to improve for her to repeat.

“While she won on a heavy track at Waverley it looks like Trentham will be far heavier and that’s my only doubt with her.”

Latta will start Princess Amelie if the weather clears as predicted as she needs the run before tackling the Stewards Handicap at Riccarton on the middle day of the cup carnival.

Johnny Lincoln, who surprised with a terrific second at Hawera, will find it tough lumping top weight of 60kg in heavy ground and Platinum Invador, likewise, meets some talented and seasoned rivals in only the second run of his new campaign.

“The better the ground gets, the better his chances will be,” says Latta. “But as long as he is hitting the line well, I will be happy.”