Patient Lisa waiting for promising Platinum Petals to blossom in the autumn

Trainer Lisa Latta won’t be rushing Platinum Petals into the big time just yet despite the filly showing a hint of her staying potential at Wanganui on Thursday.

Latta wasn’t really expecting the three-year-old to win, especially from a wide gate, and really only lined her up on the dead 4 track to test her theory that she might need softer ground.

So she was delighted to see Platinum Petals not only show the speed to get over from 14 and lead 1000 metres from home but also stave off a big late challenge from Family Time to score by three-quarters of a length.

“I thought she’d need the fire out of the ground so gave her the run to find out and she kicked nicely. She looks like making into a nice staying filly.”

The filly, raced by Neville McAlister and John and Lynne Street is a half sister to their good stayer Platinum Road and was having just her fifth start yesterday.

And that inexperience is foremost in Latta’s mind when she says the $70,000 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham on cup day, January 30, could be coming up a bit too soon for her.

How Platinum Petals looked as a yearling when offered by Rich Hill Stud.“She’ll be a better filly with a bit more time so we’re looking at running in the special conditions maiden the same day.”

That race, over 1400 metres, carries a purse of $40,000 and is restricted to horses who were maidens as of December 1.

Latta has an alternate plan on how to earn early black type with the filly and it revolves around the southern filly of the year series in the autumn.

The three races remaining in the four-race New Zealand Bloodstock sponsored series are:

• The $50,000 NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui on March 6
• The $50,000 NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton on April 10 and
• The $50,000 NZB Warstep Stakes (2000m) at Riccarton on April 24.

The series is led by Matchmaker who won the opening leg, the $50,000 NZB Canterbury Belle Stakes at Riccarton on October 3.

Platinum Petals, by Deep Field out of Snow Petals, cost McAlister and the Streets $90,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2019 yearling sale at Karaka.

Her grand dam Zirna, who won the Group I Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes at Te Aroha in 2003, went on to become Singapore Horse of the Year, winning the Raffles Cup and Singapore Gold Cup.

Lincoln Hanover breaks his maiden duck with a 10 out of 10 Jonathan Riddell ride. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images.Latta, who enjoyed three winners at Wanganui, continuing her golden run, was pleased to finally see Lincoln Hanover break his maiden duck for Lincoln Farms.

Lincoln Hanover also had to contend with a wide alley but it didn’t stop Jonathan Riddell from working across the field and slotting beautifully into the trail behind tearaway leader Retsina.

Lincoln Hanover, who had racked up five seconds and three thirds in his previous 14 starts, found a good kick to get the better of the leader 200 metres out and score by half a length.

“He’s a lot more settled this time in and now that he’s physically a lot stronger, he should get over ground too.”

Latta’s third winner on the day was the improving filly Charms Star, her New Year tip for Lincoln Farms’ followers, who benefitted from the addition of blinkers to romp to a three length win for Sam Weatherley, paying $4.70.