Will Platinum Attack settle over 1400 metres in the BCD Sprint? Ear covers go on to help

Platinum Attack ($34) will wear ear covers in Saturday’s $500,000 BCD Group Sprint at Te Rapa in the hope they will help him settle over the 1400 metres.

After again racing too keenly when fifth in the Railway at Ellerslie two weeks ago, trainer Lisa Latta says the five-year-old needs the gear to help him relax.

“We know the 1400 metres is a question mark, as he can tend to over-race at times, and his work in the ear covers on Tuesday was great.

“He settled well early in the gallop and was finishing it off strongly which is exactly what I wanted to see.”

Platinum Attack ran seventh in last year’s BCD Sprint in his first and only try over 1400 metres, and Latta says he will need to be on the top of his game to be competitive on Saturday.

“It has come up a very strong race this year. We may look to ride him more positively from the draw and hope that Craig Grylls can find a nice spot not too far off the leaders.”

Platinum Attack, who jumps from gate eight of 11, has traditionally dropped back in the running, to find cover to help him settle.

Co-owner Neville McAlister congratulates jockey Craig Grylls after Platinum Attack’s win in the Pegasus at Riccarton. PHOTO: Ajay Berry/Race Images.But he had no luck in the Railway, trapped three wide all the way, and did well to finish on, only 4.7 lengths from winner Jigsaw.

“He came through his trip to Ellerslie in really good order. It didn’t seem to take too much out of him which is always a positive, but I wasn’t surprised as he is a seasoned traveller now.”

Latta is hoping Platinum Attack can improve on his seventh placing in last year’s BCD when he ran seventh, 8.3 lengths from winner Here To Shock, after being held up in the run home.

But he faces stiff competition on Saturday, especially from Australian favourites Here To Shock ($4), Railway runner-up Arkansaw Kid (in from $6 to $4), and Pier ($4.20) who has been campaigning successfully across the Tasman and has not raced here since last April.

Add to that the classy Savaglee ($6.50), who is having his first start since running second in Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington last March, and Tomodachi ($9.50), who beat Platinum Attack home in the Railway and will be suited by the extra 200 metres, and the stage is set for a memorable contest.

The Te Rapa track was rated a soft 5 on Thursday morning but with little rain predicted, Platinum Attack should get the good conditions he needs to show his best on Saturday.

His record on good tracks for owners Neville McAlister and Lincoln Farms’ John and Lynne Street reads seven starts for four wins and two seconds.