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
By Barry Lichter • 6 March 2019
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
Money comes for Platinum Attack with the promise of better footing at Trentham
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
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Lisa’s comments
Friday at Awapuni
Race 8: Lincoln Towers
4.53pm
“He needs two more scratchings to make the field and, because it’s the first day back racing at Awapuni and they’re running only 12 horses, that looks doubtful. I decided to run him over 1400 metres as I think leaving him at 1200 wouldn’t be the right thing to do. He has continued to work well and had a really nice gallop on the course proper this week.”
Stephen’s comments
Saturday at Te Rapa
Race 7: Billy Lincoln
3.37pm
“He’s bounced out of his trial (third on the Cambridge synthetic) very well and it’s time to kick him off. I wouldn’t expect him to win at 1200 metres but it will bring him on nicely. Then we’ll step him up to a more suitable 1400 and second-up he can be very competitive. Rihaan Goyaram rides and claims 3kg down to 53.5kg.”