Lisa: Attack’s been practising right-handed and can run a cheeky race in the Railway

Platinum Attack can run a cheeky race at good odds despite the strength of Saturday’s $700,000 Sistema Railway, says trainer Lisa Latta.

Latta knows it’s a big ask for Platinum Attack tackling the Group I race in his first try right-handed, and at Ellerslie.

“But he’s done plenty of work right-handed at home, and his work has been ultra pleasing. He galloped right-handed with Belclare on Tuesday and it was a very strong gallop.”

On a good plough, the pair went at a fast clip early over 1000 metres in 1:03.2, clocked home over the final 800 in 49.3 and 600 in 37.4.

It was a good effort for Platinum Attack to match the older mare who won two Group II races when taken to Sydney last spring and is set to start favourite in Saturday’s $600,000 Westbury Classic at Ellerslie.

Latta says drawing handily in three should help the inexperienced four-year-old to get around the Ellerslie bends with an economical run.

It is the first time this prep that Platinum Attack has drawn a good gate, handicapped by three 10 gates and two 11 alleys in his previous five starts.

Platinum Attack ran a super fifth in the Telegraph at Trentham at his last start.The outside draw didn’t stop Platinum Attack from running out of his skin in the $550,000 Telegraph at Trentham at his last start when a 4.6 lengths fifth behind Grail Seeker. He was beaten only a head for fourth after an awkward beginning and losing his cover when jostled across the junction.

Only one horse who finished ahead of him that day will take its place in the Railway - runner-up Sacred Satono - but the line-up is bolstered by newcomers Alabama Lass, Crocetti, Babylon Berlin, Captured By Love and Master Fay.

“It has come up a very good field, but he is also a very talented horse,” Latta said. “If the race managed to work out 100% for him then I wouldn’t be surprised to see him run a very cheeky race at odds.”

Bookies today had Platinum Attack eighth favourite in the 11-horse field at $23 and $5.50, the equal lowest rated horse the biggest mover in the race from his opening odds of $27.

Matt Cartwright, who rides Platinum Attack, has made an instant impression since moving from Australia.Latta says it’s unfortunate that Platinum Attack’s regular rider Jonathan Riddell can’t make his weight of 55kg, but the set weights and penalties condition at least ensures he drops 3.5kg on the 58.5kg he had to carry at Trentham.

Latta has engaged Matt Cartwright instead, the ex-Australian riding in top form with five Group and Listed winners already in his 37 wins this season, including a big race treble at Ellerslie on January 2.

With a good forecast for the rest of the week, Latta is pleased that Platinum Attack will get better footing than at Trentham where the soft7 rating did not suit him the best.

But the same applies to Crocetti, Babylon Berlin and Master Fay who were scratched from the Telegraph because of the slow footing.

Five-year-olds have easily the best recent record in the Railway, taking half of the last 20 runnings, but only Waitak and Sacred Satono run for that age group on Saturday.

Favourite Alabama Lass and Captured By Love will be out to become just the second filly, after Bounding, to win in the last 20 years.

Platinum Attack, who is raced by Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street and their long-time partner Neville McAlister, tilts at the country’s premier sprint after just 11 starts, five of which he has won.