Wide Proisir Plate draw downgrades Attack’s chances from Platinum to silver on Saturday

Platinum Attack’s barrier draw jinx has dented his chances in Saturday’s Proisir Plate but the horse couldn’t be going any better, says part-owner Neville McAlister.

The explosive sprinter has been aimed exclusively at Ellerslie’s $400,000 weight-for-age feature for many months but when he drew 12 of 16, McAlister knew immediately he was in trouble.

“If he’d have got a good draw we’d be going in pretty confident but we don’t and what chance is he from 12?

“It’s all down to how the race is run now. If the pace is on and it allows the back runners to get into it, he’ll be right in it. If they don’t, he won’t feature, he’ll whack away for seventh or eighth.”

McAlister, who races Platinum Attack with Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street, rued that the horse had been plagued by bad draws in big races his whole life.

By contrast, their previous sprinting star of 2012-13, Platinum Kingdom, never had a bad draw in his career. And Saturday’s race rival, New Zealand racing’s current pin-up star Well Written, had not seen a bad alley since her maiden win.

“You’ve just got to get on with what you’re dealt but his luck has to change surely.”

McAlister is nevertheless buoyed by trainer Lisa Latta’s reports on Platinum Attack and his dominant trial win at Foxton on August 18.

“He’s going really well, Lisa couldn’t be happier with him.”

Latta is tipping that if the horse can get some luck in the running, he is working well enough to run a very bold race first-up after nearly five months out.

“He is a lot more forward than he usually is at this time of the year,” Latta said.

“He worked super going reverse on the course proper on Tuesday morning, and pulled up very well afterwards.”

In company with Connello, Platinum Attack worked right-handed, gathering speed from the 1000 metres (1.09.5) to finish with 600 in 37.4.

“Twelve is not an ideal draw for him but we will look to tuck him away somewhere and get cover. Hopefully he will be able to switch off and do his best work late, which he usually does with Bruno Queiroz.”

Latta noted the Proisir had drawn a very strong field and the favourites Alabama Lass and Well Written had drawn in the right places, six and seven.

“We will need a lot of favours but providing he is finishing it off strongly we will definitely be happy.”

McAlister is confident Platinum Attack will have no issue going 1400 metres on Saturday, despite having a zero from two record at the trip.

In both those runs, in the 2025 and 2026 BCD Sprints at Te Rapa, he has had no luck in the running.

It was likely Platinum Attack would spell again after Saturday’s run, he said.

“If he got beaten but you were left thinking ‘wow what a run’ then we’d have to look at going to Sydney but at the moment he’s going back to the paddock for a month.”

McAlister said the horse would be aimed at the Group I sprint double, the $650,000 Railway Stakes at Ellerslie on January 23 and the just rescheduled $550,000 Telegraph at Trentham on March 27.

Platinum Attack had very few other options now that he is so high in the ratings. Running him in handicaps would only kill the horse who would be lumbered with big weights.

“We’ve just got to be patient and try to extend his career for another couple of years. He can go deep into the autumn when there are a lot more options for him, including Brisbane.”

Platinum Attack, now six, won $243,000 last season from his eight starts and has a career record of eight wins from 23 starts for $446,285.