Palmerston North gelding Platinum Pantheon got his Australian campaign off to a pleasing start at Randwick on Saturday when finishing runner-up over 1200m.
It was the four-year-old gelding’s fourth consecutive second placing, having been runner-up in his last three outings in Queensland over winter, including the Gr.3 Winx Guineas (1600m) and Listed Queensland Day Stakes (1200m).
Trainer Lisa Latta was buoyed by his first-up performance and she is hoping he can now gain a start in the A$1 million Silver Eagle (1300m) at Randwick on Saturday week.
“He was doing his best work late and it was exactly what we wanted fresh-up,” Latta said. “He has come through the race really well and he has eaten up.
“All going well, he will go to the Silver Eagle in a fortnight. We will double nom him that day, there are a few other races, if he didn’t make that field.”
Back in New Zealand, Latta was pleased with Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Manzor Blue’s fourth placing in Saturday’s Egmont Cup (2100m) at Hawera.
“I am just gutted that the rain came in the morning, she just didn’t need that,” Latta said. “She had another solid hit-out and Joe Doyle (jockey) was really happy with her. She found the line well.”
Manzor Blue will now head to Australia to contest the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on October 21, with the winner earning a golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup.
Latta was also happy with the fourth placed performance of Connello in Saturday’s Gr.3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
“We will press on with her at this stage, and she will probably go to an open 1400m at Otaki in three weeks’ time,” she said.
Meanwhile, Latta is looking forward to heading to Hastings on Saturday with He’s A Doozy, who will bid to double his elite-level tally in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m).
The winner of the 2023 Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m), He’s A Doozy has finished fifth in his two starts this preparation, and Latta has been pleased with his progression.
“I have been happy with his two runs back,” she said. “We have had apprentices on him and he has done exactly what we have wanted him to do. Kelly Myers rides him in the Livamol.”
He’s A Doozy is currently paying $61 on the TAB’s futures Market for the Livamol Classic, which is headed by Tuxedo and Waitak at $2.50. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
