No doubting Platinum Rapper’s potential after today’s whitewash at Otaki

Platinum Rapper looks to have real black type potential the way she scored fresh-up at Otaki today.

Having her first race for nine months, and still carrying plenty of condition, the filly proved far too strong for her rivals, powering away in the closing stages to win by one and a quarter lengths for Chris Johnson.

The performance only served to confirm the promise she has already shown for owners Neville McAlister and Lincoln Farms and underlined what a bargain buy she was as a $55,000 yearling.

McAlister had no trouble finding the filly at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Select sale - the pedigree buff already knew her family inside out, having bought her older half sister Platinum Command a few years earlier.

Neville McAlister, left, was attracted to Platinum Rapper’s strong pedigree.“She’s bred on the same cross as Sofia Rosa (ATC Oaks winner) - by Makfi out of an Encosta De Lago mare.’’

McAlister suspects they got her cheaply because Platinum Command, who has won 10 races, was seen as only a winter galloper.

“Bruce Perry (who bought Sofia Rosa) paid $100,000 for her full sister the next year and we thought ours was a better type.’’

Platinum Rapper’s pedigree page is strong and could have looked even better had her second dam Palatial not died after leaving only one foal. Third dam Palatious won seven races including the Perth Cup and left Blue Diamond winner Danelagh, who produced Hong Kong champion Vengeance Of Rain.

“She definitely has black type potential and that’s why we’ve targeted those two races down south next month.’’

Trainer Lisa Latta has set the filly for the $50,000 NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton on April 6 and the $50,000 NZB Warstep Stakes (2000m) a week later.

McAlister says its hard finding black type races for horses who act best on wet tracks and that’s why they kept the filly going one race too long as a two-year-old to run in a Listed race at Te Rapa in June.

Platinum Rapper showed her potential winning at Awapuni last May on a heavy 11 track and her future, like her older sister, looks to be in winter.

Platinum Command is actually making a comeback after failing to get into foal to Ocean Park last December. She is back in work with Latta and only a few weeks away from a jumpout.

The now seven-year-old finished her last campaign strongly at Riccarton, winning the Winter Cup and running second in the Winter Classic.