Auckland Cup hasn’t been kind to Platinum Invador but he’s hard fit for a third crack

Trainer Lisa Latta is confident she has Platinum Invador primed for a big showing in Saturday’s $500,000 Auckland Cup at Pukekohe.

Platinum Invador, backed in from an opening quote of $26 to $18, has had six races back from an 18-month break, after injuring a tendon during a Queensland campaign in May, 2021.

He’s run top five in all bar one of those starts, when trapped three wide with no cover in the Trentham Stakes in January, and Latta believes she has the seven-year-old hard fit.

Platinum Invador drops 4kg on the 59kg topweight he carried last start in the Avondale Cup at Pukekohe when he made good ground for fifth behind Saturday’s race rivals Aquacade, Hinepara, Lincoln King and Dionysus.

“We have really stepped up his work after the Avondale Cup, when he had a good blow,” Latta said.

“He went down to the Awapuni races last Wednesday and stood in the stalls for a couple hours, having a good sweat and shake, before his exhibition gallop.

“Ryan Elliot rode him in the gallop and he worked great, Ryan was really happy with him.

“We’ve been working him twice a day, swimming in the afternoons, keeping the pressure off that tendon.”

On Wednesday, Platinum Invador galloped right-handed on the course proper at Awapuni with stablemate Lincoln Star.

“Jonathan Riddell said he worked in fantastic style and pulled up really well.

“I couldn’t have him any fitter and now he just needs some luck.”

Latta hopes Platinum Invador’s perfect draw of six will help him feature on Saturday.

“Ryan can cuddle him up in midfield, without getting too far back, and give him every chance.”

Platinum Invador has finished third and fourth in his only two starts over 3200 metres, both times in the Auckland Cup and both times unlucky.

In 2021, when 2.8 lengths fourth to Ocean Billy under 56kg, he powered home from well back, recording the fastest closing sectionals of 47.22 (800), 35.29 (600), 23.56 (400) and 12.49 (200).

On dismounting rider Leith Innes confessed he stuffed up the ride.

“Sorry guys, it was a terrible ride,” he told owners Neville McAlister and John and Lynne Street.

Platinum Invador was also the victim of a bad run the previous year when, carrying 55.5kg, he closed to a length of winner Roger That despite being crowded on jumping and copping severe buffeting in the running.

Platinum Invador came back to scale missing his off hind plate and with skin off his off foreleg after being shunted out by Sound 800 metres from home.

The siren sounded after the race as Innes and McAlister and John Street viewed video of the incident, prompted by the fact Sound pipped Platinum Invador a head for the $87,500 runners-up purse.

But while Innes believed Platinum Invador was affected by the heavy contact, and being laid on for the next 300 metres, he advised not to proceed with a protest. The bump did not appear on the film to be as bad as it actually was and Innes believed they would not win a protest as Sound’s movement was also triggered by The Good Fight moving out inside him. It also happened a long way from home.