Thriving Platinum Invador the one bright spot in bleak looking weekend

When trainer Lisa Latta looks at the raft of terrible draws Lincoln Farms’ four runners have at Awapuni on Saturday, and the strength of the opposition, she wonders why she chose not to go to Sydney this weekend.

For while stable headliner Platinum Invador looks a strong chance in the Tulloch Stakes at Rosehill, Latta is beginning to think she will struggle to get anywhere near the money on this side of the Tasman.

The weather forecasters have even got it wrong and, with no rain now on the horizon, and plenty of wind, Latta says the Awapuni track could end up very firm.

And that, even more than all the other negatives, could spell curtains for Lincoln Fury, Princess Amelie, Kamanda Lincoln and Lincoln Hills.

Latta, however, is delighted with the latest reports from Sydney where Platinum Invador continues to please on his first big trip away from home.

“He’s really thriving. I’m surprised at how well he’s done.

“He didn’t get there until 9.30am on Wednesday morning so he can be forgiven for leaving a little of his breakfast.

“But he ate up last night and when Peter Robl worked him this morning he said he was lovely and relaxed.’’

Latta is expecting Platinum Invador to finish in the money in the final lead-up to the A$2 million Australian Derby despite not having raced for nearly a month.

“He’s a very clean winded horse. I’d like to see him in the finish because next week the opposition will be a hell of a lot stronger.’’

Strong opposition is a recurrent theme when Latta analyses the chances of her Awapuni team.

Lincoln Fury wasted his rivals last time at Trentham but faces a big jump in class and drier conditions on Saturday. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images.Lincoln Fury, arguably the best chance of the quartet in the third race, jumps from a maiden to a rating 65 field studded with form.

“He has progressed well since his win at Trentham but this field is very competitive. He will need some luck from the 10 draw but they get a long run down the back straight so hopefully he can slot in somewhere.

“He’s really looking for 2000 metres and I nominated him for the three-year-old race but it was super strong and he was only No. 17 to make the field.

“He’s probably the best of the four but he really needs the fire out of the ground at least.’’

As impressive as Lincoln Hills was in leading all the way on the course on March 1, he faces a big battle in the ninth race, from gate 15 in a power packed rating 72 event.

Latta has all but decided to scratch the horse and wait until next Friday for a rating 82 over 1400 metres for $30,000.

“He will get in on the minimum in that and I have Chris Johnson on standby.

“But I will wait until race morning before making a decision and see what scratchings there are and if there is any rain around.

“It looks like he’s on a hiding to nothing on a firm track.’’

Kamanda Lincoln (race 8) will definitely need the run, says Latta, his first since finishing ninth in the Auckland Cup on March 9.

Drawn one from the outside, the horse will find it very tough in a good field over only 2000 metres.

“But this race is more of a lead-up to the Hawkes Bay Cup in the fortnight and all I want to see him doing is his best work at the line.’’

Princess Amelie (race 5) also has an awkward eight draw with in-form rivals wherever you look.

But Latta suspects she will go better back to left-handed racing - all three of her recent starts have been at Ellerslie.

“If she could produce her best form, she would be right in the finish.

“She has freshened up nicely and her work has been very good.’’