Lisa reaches for blinkers to get Platinum Machine back on track for the Guineas

One vital gear change could turn Platinum Machine ($11, $3.30) into a winner at Waverley on Thursday and keep her 1000 Guineas mission alive.

Lisa Latta’s promising filly drops way down in class in the fifth race compared with the opposition she faced in the Gold Trail Stakes at Hastings 11 days ago and, crucially, she will wear blinkers.

When Lisa Allpress hugged the rail on Platinum Machine at Hawkes Bay, she made up a big stretch of ground to get right up in behind the leaders halfway down the stretch.

“But there was a little bit of commotion in front of her, it got a bit tight, and Lisa said she could feel her trying to back out of it.

“She didn’t run out of puff, she was still travelling OK at the time.”

Latta said the performance was very similar to her previous trial at Foxton when the filly jumped best but appeared to get claustrophobic and quickly dropped away.

Free Eagle filly Platinum Machine who cost A$32,000 at the Adelaide yearling sale.“She went terribly. She jumped well but didn’t like being on the inside and didn’t put in.”

Latta is hoping the addition of blinkers changes all that and reports Platinum Machine galloped very well in the new gear last Saturday morning.

“I couldn’t be happier with her. She has a really nice draw, not being too far in on the wet track, and this race will give us a good line on her as there is quite a bit of form in it.”

But while Princess Biddy and Nest Egg are coming out of good runs in the Wanganui Guineas, and Gary Vile’s Vesperado was an unlucky debutante in June, there are none of the big names that Platinum Machine faced at Hastings like the first six home Bellacontte, Mustang Valley, Imperatriz, Bonny Lass, Fonsalette and Ima Roca Bee.

“I think she can be right in it,” says Latta of the Neville McAlister and Lincoln Farms’ owned filly. “The track conditions won’t worry her and the 1400 metres will be better for her as she’s bred to stay, being out of a Pentire mare.

“She needs to front up tomorrow if we’re to keep on our path to the 1000 Guineas.”

That 1600 metre fillies’ feature, worth $300,000, is run on the last day of cup week at Riccarton on November 13.

Latta is also hoping to see an improved performance in the opening race from slow maturing five-year-old Demetrias who ran last of six when debuting over a middle distance at Otaki a couple of weeks ago.

“He’s really improved with the race. He galloped over ground on Tuesday morning and Tim Johnson was very happy with him. I’m just hoping the track dries out a bit, as I don’t know that he is a true heavy tracker.”

While Demetrias jumped well and raced right on the speed on debut, Latta says she’s decided to try riding him more quietly this time.

“He’s drawn out wide but Ryan (Elliot) will try to tuck in somewhere.”