Platinum Rapper (Chris Johnson) out on their own at the finish in slow conditions at Otaki. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images
Rapper working on her beats for Christchurch so keep the volume down on Sunday
By Barry Lichter • 21 March 2019
Trainer Lisa Latta is the first to admit Sunday’s race at Tauherenikau isn’t ideal for Platinum Rapper.
But the run is all about fitting the promising filly for her upcoming southern targets where she can earn valuable black type.
Platinum Rapper runs in the sixth race, a rating 72 event over 1600 metres, with much stronger opposition than she beat first-up at Otaki.
But, more importantly, the conditions are likely to be too firm for the filly who revelled on a rain-affected slow 7 track at Otaki two weeks ago.
While the track condition was reported this morning as a dead 4, a fine forecast this weekend is expected to see it improve to good.
“There are some handy types in it and they might go a bit quick for her on a good track,’’ says Latta. “But this was the only option before heading south.’’
Latta is hoping Tauherenikau lives up to its history of not getting overly hard as there is no doubting Platinum Rapper is happiest with give in the ground.
“This race will tidy her up to head south.
“So long as she’s running home nicely, and hopefully finishing in the first four, I’ll be happy.’’
The first of the two races Latta has aimed Platinum Rapper at is the $50,000 NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton on April 6. A week later she will tackle the $50,000 NZB Warstep Stakes (2000m).
Lincoln Hanover … set to run well again on Sunday despite a bad draw. PHOTO: Royden Williams.Latta’s second runner for Lincoln Farms on Sunday, Lincoln Hanover, has drawn the outside of the gate in the opening race, tempering Latta’s confidence a little.
“We’ll have to be a bit positive on him at the start or he’ll get flushed out wide but he has the tactical speed to get across them.
“The step-up to 1400 metres will definitely help him and, while the top two horses look hard to beat, he is capable of taking this out.
“He’s done very well since his first-up run at Awapuni and continues to please me.’’
Lincoln Hanover looked good when running third fresh-up at Awapuni at the start of the month, leading and trailing before fighting on well to be beaten only a length and a nose.
Latta predicted the horse would run far better than his form that day, pointing punters into a $3.50 place dividend.
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Lisa’s comments
Saturday at Trentham
Race 7: Platinum Attack
4.42pm
“He has freshened up really well since his last-start win and I couldn’t be happier with the way he looks. His work has been right up to the mark and he is certainly feeling well in himself. The track was a soft 7 on Wednesday morning and hopefully they don’t get any more rain as I think he will get away with it being in the soft range, but not heavy. Jonathan will look to get cover from the outside draw, and I expect to see him finishing it off very strongly. We will get a line on how good he is if the track isn’t too wet.”