The figures which say Platinum Attack is right in the calculations for the Stewards

Platinum Attack might be the least experienced and lowest rated horse in Saturday’s Stewards’ line-up but trainer Lisa Latta says he needs only a little luck to be right in the finish.

Latta has both Platinum Attack ($5) and Lincoln’s Kruz ($23) in Riccarton’s $140,000 Listed sprint feature for Lincoln Farms and was buoyed by their runs on the first day, when close up sixth and seventh in the Pegasus.

Four-year-old Platinum Attack was particularly impressive in just his eighth start, coming from the rear of the field and recording the fastest closing 800, 600, 400 and 200 metre sectionals.

With lightning splits of 41.75, 31.44, 21.29 and 10.84, Platinum Attack was taking good ground off the placegetters, suggesting the extra 200 metres of Saturday’s Listed event would put him right into contention.

Platinum Attack, who drew the outside gate of 11 in the Pegasus, draws 11 of 17 this week and Latta says it will all come down to whether rider Kelly Myers can settle a little closer and get some luck in the running.

“His closing sectionals could not have been any better last week. He just got too far back but was hitting the line very strongly.

“The step-up to 1200 metres on Saturday looks ideal for him.

“The track was a soft 5 at Riccarton this morning and there is touch more rain in the forecast so I am not too worried about the draw as I think the middle part of the track could be the place to be.”

Platinum Attack has scored twice on soft 5 footing but was at his spectacular best on good 4 footing last campaign when he roared down the Trentham chute in 55.27.

On Saturday, on the minimum weight of 53kg, he gets a 6kg pull from topweight and favourite Mystic Park, giving him a royal chance of scoring for Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street and their partner Neville McAlister.

Latta, who was worried about how the rookie would handle his first campaign away from home, said he had bounced out of last week’s race and is handling the trip well.

Lincoln’s Kruz’s best efforts at Riccarton have come over 1000 metres in the Pegasus on the first day. PHOTO: Ajay Berry/Race Images.Distracted in the gates

The Streets, who race Lincoln’s Kruz with Ian Middleton, Jeff and Vicky Roach, Peter and Bridget Morris, Sue Croft and Steve Haylock, will be hoping their eight-year-old begins more cleanly than in last week’s Pegasus.

Lincoln’s Kruz lost the advantage of drawing the fence when he was slow away for Lily Sutherland.

“The horse next to him was playing up a little in the gates and he just didn’t have full concentration and ended up missing the kick,” Latta said.

“Had he jumped with them I think he’d have been right in the finish as I thought his run after that was great.

“He has come through it well, is looking fantastic, and I see no reason he can’t run a big race.”

Against Lincoln’s Kruz is his record in the Stewards in the last two years, which has never replicated his first-day dashes over 1000 metres, his best distance.

Last year he finished 12th after being slow away then held up and in 2022 he ran fourth after over-racing badly then being blocked for a run.

Latta is hoping the race is run at a genuine tempo, allowing him to settle.