Platinum Petals unfurls exciting new chapter for House as Streets send better horses south

Trainer Michael House is excited about the new chapter looming in his thoroughbred training career after Platinum Petals’ win at Riccarton on Thursday.

The mare’s come-from-behind win on the south’s new synthetic track marked the eighth winner he has trained for Lincoln Farms since owners John and Lynne Street started sending horses to him 14 months ago.

But it was also the first of a new echelon of horses he will line up, those several rungs higher in ability than the ones first dispatched who were struggling to even run a place in the North Island.

The latest two from Lisa Latta’s Awapuni stable arrived the other day, Father Lenihan and Platinum Road whom he immediately took a liking to.

And if Lincoln Raider fails to refind his form at Trentham on Saturday, the talented miler will be next on the truck, boosting to 12 the number of runners sent south to take advantage of the easier opposition.

House gives the thumbs up after his first - and best - training win at Riccarton.“I’ve graduated to a different level of horse and hopefully we can get more results and justify John’s faith in us,” House said.

“When Platinum Road got off the float I thought ‘now there’s a good looking horse’. I went inside and looked up his record and thought ‘they’ve given me a good one’.”

Touted as a derby contender earlier in his career, Platinum Road cost the Streets and Neville McAlister $60,000 as a yearling.

“They must have really liked Platinum Road as they went back and bought his half sister Platinum Petals for $90,000 a year later.

“I’m excited about the new ones - on paper they’re way better than we’ve had before. Platinum Petals is a beautiful big mare and she came from five back on the fence.”

Facebook frenzy

In typical style, House shared his “cool moment” with his Facebook followers, filming the race from his phone, the vision far too shaky to watch as the mare powered home for Chris Johnson to his vocal urgings of “get up, get up.”

House, second on the harness trainers’ premiership last season, labelled the win his best as a throughbred trainer.

“I’ve won races at Riccarton before as an owner but now I’ve graduated to training a winner there. It’s hallowed ground.”

Platinum Petals strides clear on the synthetic track at Riccarton on Thursday. The surface really impressed leading rider Chris Johnson.But House gave himself only half a win, given it was on the synthetic track. He says it’s only a matter of time, however, before he claims one on the grass there too.

“I wanted to support the synthetic track because it’s the future of winter racing here. And I’m pleased our horses raced well on the track, it made me want more.

“It’s a magnificent surface to work on. Chris had his first trackwork ride on it on Tuesday morning and was beaming afterwards. He said great things about it. It really inspired him.”

House said he was very grateful to the Streets for placing their faith in him and his team, his southern arm handled by the very capable Nicci Brown.

“Getting good stock is the key down here where numbers are dwindling. Everyone’s got the same sort of horse - very few trainers can stand alongside the David Ellises of this world and compete at the yearling sales.

“But I think I’ve got a few nice horses now who’ll appreciate the downgrade in class. South Island gallops racing is like the Central Districts of harness racing.”

Since April, 2021, House has scored wins for Lincoln Farms with Benny Lincoln, (2), Master Lincoln (2), Louie Lincoln, Lincoln Hills, Platinum Petals and Ray Green’s Copy Me In.

He also has Lincoln Lane, Platinum Rain and Platinum Eagle.