Lisa sorts Platinum hopes for Otaki - tongue tie for Parade, Hazel magic for Bordeaux

Trainer Lisa Latta has sorted one problem with Otaki debutante Platinum Parade but admits she’s running blind on how she will handle Friday’s heavy track.

Late will use a tongue tie on the Belardo filly in the opening race after discovering she got her tongue back when third at the Foxton jumpouts on June 1.

“She wasn’t breathing as well as she could so I tried her in a tongue tie on Tuesday and she worked up really nicely.

“But Friday is watch and see as it’s hard to know how she’ll go. It can be different in trackwork, when you have a hold of them, compared with raceday so we’ll know a lot more after this run.”

Platinum Parade … big filly who will be better with time.Platinum Parade, who cost just $20,000 as a yearling, and is a half sister to the useful winners Calligraphy (6 wins) and Inscription (5 wins), is quite big and Latta says the Belardos seem better with a bit of time.

“But we have to see if it’s worth carrying on or if she needs to go back out. If she handles it, there are a couple of nice races for her.”

Platinum Parade won a three-horse 550 metre trial at Foxton last September but, while the results list the track as heavy that day, Latta says the going was nowhere near that bad.

Latta says Platinum Parade is not a jump-and-run type but drawn the inside on Friday, rider Sarah Macnab will be instructed to try to use the inside advantage.

“The fence might be OK for the first race over only 800 metres.”

Schofer to the rescue

Latta has enlisted the help of gun apprentice Hazel Schofer to see if she can get long running maiden Platinum Bordeaux home in the sixth race.

Ironically it was Schofer on La Bellarina who spoiled an overdue party for Platinum Bordeaux at her last start at Awapuni when she pipped her a head after stealing a march early in the run home.

“She got a bit further back than we wanted last start, got shuffled back, and made very good ground late,” Latta said.

Platinum Bordeaux … doesn’t like being squeezed for room. PHOTO: Royden Williams.Platinum Bordeaux really charged home that day when she cleared traffic, running the fastest last 200 metres, and Latta says being in the clear is a key factor for the four-year-old.

“She never tries as hard if she’s in amongst them.”

Proof of that came at Hawera in May when the mare ran ninth, the only blip in her consistent placed form line, when she was strung up and blocked for a run 250 metres out.

“She’s a good little galloper so I’ll be surprised if she doesn’t get one. She’s definitely knocking on the door.”

Platinum Bordeaux has run two thirds in five starts on heavy ground, Latta saying she prefers the footing only slow.

But after two years and seven months, 21 starts, one second and seven thirds, the mare deserved her reward.

And with Schofer on, she will get her chance. The Taranaki rider has enjoyed a remarkable season and lies fifth on the jockeys’ premiership with 69 wins behind only Danielle Johnson, Sam Collett, Craig Grylls and Lisa Allpress.