
Platinum Rapper, pictured winning in heavy 11 conditions, is being aimed at fillies’ races at Riccarton next month.
Rapper loves the beat of rain and metservice is predicting torrential downpours on Friday
Predicted downpours on Friday morning at Otaki would play into the hands of the promising Platinum Rapper but almost certainly rule out a start for Platinum Mam’selle.
The met office is forecasting 50ml of rain to fall in the area on race morning, a scenario which trainer Lisa Latta says would force her to withdraw Platinum Mam’selle, who has shown a real dislike of rain-affected ground.
Platinum Rapper, on the other hand, needs rain to show her best - it’s just a question of whether she is fit enough to cope with extremely wet conditions.
The Makfi filly has not raced for nine months, when she ran a solid fifth, despite a rocky run, in a Listed race at Te Rapa.
Before that she powered home to win at Awapuni in heavy 11 conditions, proving wet tracks hold no fears for her.
Latta says while Platinum Rapper has been working well she expects she will need the outing.
“Her work has been good but she is still carrying a bit of condition so will improve with the run.’’
Latta says Platinum Rapper needs a couple of lead-up races before she takes her south to Riccarton for fillies’ races next month, chasing black type for her pedigree page.
On her programme are the $50,000 NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) on April 6 and the $50,000 NZB Warstep Stakes (2000m) a week later.
Latta has engaged leading rider Chris Johnson for Platinum Rapper who goes into Friday’s race with one jumpout and one trial under her belt.
In the latest, on February 19, she was doing her best late when fourth of six in a 1000 metre open trial at Awapuni.
Platinum Mam’selle again showed her dislike of wet ground when leading, trailing but beating only one home at Otaki last start on slow 8 ground.
Latta previously raced the Fighting Sun filly in a tongue tie but, suspecting she might be resenting it, she has changed her bit to one which prevents her from getting her tongue back.
“But if the track is any worse than dead she’d be a doubtful starter.’’
More news in Gallops
Lisa: It’s a hot field but Platinum Attack’s not out of it - and the $23 odds are very tasty
Lisa: Attack’s been practising right-handed and can run a cheeky race in the Railway
First the draw now the weather threatens to sabotage Platinum Attack’s Telegraph bid
New rider for Billy as Opie struggles to shed weight - but the money’s still come for him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Lisa’s comments
Friday at Waverley
Race 5: Lincoln Towers
2.58pm
Update: Scratched
“I am really happy with him at the moment, his work has been superb. We ended up injecting his knees and he worked great on the course proper on Tuesday morning. He should be very competitive in a field like this but my biggest concern is how much rain is in the forecast. I would be reluctant to start him if the track got to be really wet as we know he has never gone very well on heavy tracks.”