Tonight’s JRA Cup at Moonee Valley another stepping stone for Platinum Invador

Trainer Peter Moody is pleased with Platinum Invador’s progress but isn’t expecting any fireworks from the horse in tonight’s A$200,000 JRA Cup at Moonee Valley.

While the race distance of 2040 metres is a help to the Kiwi stayer, and Moody says he will give “a good sight”, it’s the horse’s next start in two weeks that will be more crucial in determining which direction he heads.

“He’s in competitive shape but I’m looking forward to getting him up to the mile and a half of the Herbert Power.”

That Group II race, at Caulfield on October 10, carries a stake of A$300,000 and will tell Moody if the horse is up to chasing the big cups this spring.

Platinum Invador’s last two attempts at the 2400 metre trip saw him win the City Of Auckland Cup and run an unlucky nose second in the Avondale Cup for owners Neville McAlister and Lincoln Farms’ John and Lynne Street.

Platinum Invador ran a bold sixth to open his Australian campaign at Moonee Valley on September 5 when only seven lengths off the winner over an unsuitable 1600 metres.

“He’s in good shape and has really come on from that last run but he’ll still be off his top this week.

“He had a strong gallop over a mile on Tuesday, and quickened home nicely on his own over the last 400, without being asked to overly extend.”

Platinum Invador has drawn the outside gate of 10 tonight but will settle back in the field anyway and should be suited by the genuine tempo sure to be set up by the free-going Tavirun.

He is not fancied by the bookies, rated the $23 rank outsider on a track whose short straight does not suit his powerful late bursts.

Better fancied at $6.50 is the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained derby winner Quick Thinker who is expected to be a quick improver.

The warm $2.90 favourite, Al Galayel, is a last-start winner of a fast 2000 metres at Caulfield and is a dual winner at Moonee Valley.

Showers are forecast in Melbourne and it is expected the track could race in the soft range.

Platinum Invador races at 9.45pm NZ time at Moonee Valley on Friday night.