Platinum Invador stopped in his tracks and now borderline to make the derby

It will be an anxious week for the connections of Platinum Invador who can only wait to see if he scrapes into the field for the $1million New Zealand Derby.

Platinum Invador had no chance to press his claims for a spot in the 18-horse field on March 2 after being first KOed then blocked all the way down the home straight of Saturday’s Avondale Guineas at Ellerslie.

And now, languishing on 25th in the ranking order for the 2400 metres classic, he must rely on defections to get his chance.

Trainer Lisa Latta aways knew it would be very hard for Platinium Invador to win the Guineas, drawn 13 with the rail out eight metres, but she hadn’t banked on the horse copping the worst run in the race.

The Redwood gelding shared the rear in the running and was still last on the fence, turning for home.

But when rider Chris Johnson angled out and tried to punch between Prise De Fer and Botti, he had to forcibly restrain his mount when the gap closed.

The judicial report noted that while Prise De Fer did lay out, Johnson was attempting “a marginal run”.

Just 100 metres later Johnson again had to restrain when he tried to find clear running between Prise De Fer and Cutadeel.

And for the next 150 metres he could only sit on Platinum Invador as he was snookered behind Prise De Fer with nowhere to go, going to the line untested in ninth place, 6.2 lengths from winner Surely Sacred.

Platinum Invador looked to be doing his best work past the winning post, robbed of his chance to run past Prise De Fer who ended up fifth.

Johnson told Latta that judging by the way the horse felt he had every confidence Platinum Invador would get the 2400 metre derby trip.

But unless there are seven defectors in the next week, he will not get a start in the big race, a prospect which would frustrate Latta and owners Lincoln Farms and Neville McAlister.

Latta remains upbeat that won’t happen - “the field will fall away when the ones that went no good yesterday drop out.

“Hopefully he gets a start as we know he’ll be one of only half a dozen who’ll get the distance.’’

The aura around early favourite Cutadeel certainly faded, the horse failing to raise a gallop and finishing 13th.

A post-race vet exam failed to find anything amiss with the horse and, when questioned by the stewards, rider Matt Cameron had no excuse.

Swords Drawn, 11th, on the other hand, had a similar hard luck story to Platinum Invador, rider Sam Collett held up 350 metres out and unable to find any gaps for the remainder of the race.

Australian visitor Tolemac beat only one home, rider Jake Bayliss reporting he appeared to be feeling the firm footing. The horse had a slow recovery rate afterwards.

TAB bookies revised the derby market, promoting Surely Sacred to outfight $3 favourite and dropping Cutadeel to the fifth line on $13.

Vernanme, who ran third yesterday, is now second favourite at $8 with Guineas runner-up In A Twinkling and Sword In Stone next on $10.

Lincoln Farms’ two hopes are both at attractive odds, Lincoln Falls at $21 and Platinum Invador $26.