A devastating home stretch sprint carried class galloper Platinum Attack to an easy victory in the Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m) at Otaki.
The Lisa Latta-prepared five-year-old is known as a lethal finisher when he gets conditions and a run to suit and the pieces to that puzzle fell into place perfectly for him in Saturday’s feature short-course event on the programme.
Rider Bruno Queiroz successfully negotiated a tricky wide barrier (13) to have the son of Santos travelling easily one of the fence behind midfield after just 300m as noted speedster Poetic Champion set up a solid speed in front with race favourite Kitty Flash sitting on his flank throughout.
Kitty Flash took over turning for home and momentarily looked a winning proposition until Platinum Attack arrived on the scene in the middle of the track at the 200m.
Queiroz let the handbrake off his mount and he charged clear to win easing down at the line by more than a length from topweight Navigator, who had filled a similar placing when they clashed in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) at Trentham last month, and Kitty Flash who fought bravely for her third placed finish, albeit six lengths astern of the winner.
Latta said she was taking a race-by-race approach with Platinum Attack who had commenced his current campaign back in November last year.
“The key to him is switching him off,” Latta said.
“The minute he gets up travelling a bit keen he can’t quite finish it off and today they ran along at good speed which definitely helps. When he does switch off he has a blistering turn of foot.
“He has been in work all season long and has been competitive all the way and hasn’t gone a bad race.
“We would love to try him at 1400m at some stage but we will let the dust settle from today before we make any decisions.”
Bred by Aquis Farm, G1G Racing & Breeding and Fly Horse, Platinum Attack is proving a profitable investment for owners Neville McAlister and Lincoln Farms Bloodstock who purchased him for $37,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Weanling Sale, having now won eight of his 23 starts and over $446,000 in prizemoney. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
