The Lisa Latta-trained pair of Platinum Diamond and Brutiful Lass will bid to end their juvenile season in perfect fashion at Otaki on Saturday when they tackle the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m).
Platinum Diamond has made a solid start to her career, with the daughter of Hello Youmzain winning two of her three starts to date, including last month’s Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
In-form hoop Bruno Queiroz will jump back in the saddle on Saturday where he will be out to replicate their last start heroics from barrier four.
“She has drawn nicely,” Latta said. “I am happy with her, she has worked well.
“She is a late foal, we have just given her a bit of time and she has come to it nicely. She just keeps going forward in the right direction, which is what you like to see.”
Brutiful Lass fought out the minor placings in the Castletown Stakes, eventually finishing third behind Country Salon, and Latta is hoping for a strong finish from the daughter of Brutal this weekend.
“I was rapt with her last run, she keeps improving,” Latta said. “She was in a photo for second and her sectionals were really good.
“She has drawn a bit tricky again (seven), so it is just hard to know where she is going to end up. I can see her finishing it off strongly again.”
Win, lose or draw, Latta said both fillies will head to the paddock after Saturday.
“They will probably have a little freshen-up after this,” she said.
Latta will be represented by three other runners at the meeting, including Benefactor who will be looking to repeat her winning performance from two starts back in the Levin Truck Services Handicap (1600m).
“The track was just too heavy for her at Hawera (when fourth last start),” Latta said. “It is obviously going to still be pretty sticky on Saturday. We have had good weather, but it will still be in the Heavy range.”
Benefactor will be joined in her race by stablemate Deadly Pony, who will step up to open company for the first time.
“We are running her out of her grade, there are just a lack of races around and it’s just getting too long between runs,” Latta said. “She has worked well and she goes well at Otaki.”
Latta’s Otaki team will be rounded out by rising 11-year-old gelding Lincoln Star, who will contest the Happy 65th Birthday Grant & Robert Linton Handicap (2100m).
“He always tries hard,” Latta said of the eight-win gelding. “We are looking for an improved track for him. The claim (Amber Riddell’s 2kg claim) will help.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
