Busy few days ahead for Latta
Palmerston North trainer Lisa Latta will have a busy next few days as she gets set to tackle stakes assignments at three different venues.
Evergreen gelding He's A Doozy (NZ) (Zacinto) will lead the stable’s charge in the Listed Jennian Homes ANZAC Mile (1600m) at Otaki on Friday.
The eight-year-old son of Zacinto was rewarded for his string of placings with a well-deserved victory in last month’s Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m), and Latta has been pleased with him in the lead-up to Friday, but said she is concerned about the track conditions, which were rated a Heavy10 on Thursday morning.
“There’s a bit of concern tomorrow about the track conditions, but he has trained on well and he will go out for a break after this,” Latta said.
On Saturday, in form gelding Platinum Pantheon (Hanseatic) will bid to snare black type in the Gr.3 Windsor Park Stud Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).
The Hanseatic gelding has won three of his last five starts, including last start over 1200m at Tauranga last month, and he has been freshened ahead of Saturday’s assignment.
Latta is pleased with the condition of her gelding ahead of the weekend but cites his wide alley of 16 as a concern. However, that hasn’t dissuaded TAB bookmakers, who have installed him a $5.50 second favourite behind Drops Of God (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) ($4.60).
“We gave him a little freshen-up after he won at Tauranga. He has worked well and he looks great,” she said.
“He hasn’t drawn very well, we are certainly going to need plenty of luck in the running from there.”
Latta will also head north with multiple stakes winner Platinum Diamond (NZ) (Hello Youmzain), who will be on trial for a Queensland campaign when she contests the Cambridge Equine Hospital 3YO (1600m).
“We have never tried her at a mile, but she gives us the impression that she will get it,” Latta said. “We just want to try her over the distance, there are some good options in Queensland for her and it will certainly answer a lot of questions.”
Latta will also have dual representation at Riccarton on Saturday, headed by The Explosive (NZ) (King Of Comedy) in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m).
Latta said the daughter of King Of Comedy found the ground too testing when 12th in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton a fortnight ago and she will appreciate the more forgiving track conditions on Saturday, with the track rated a Heavy8 on Thursday morning.
“She found that track too hard a fortnight ago,” she said. “It looks like we are going to get the fire out of the ground on Saturday, which is certainly going to help.”
Latta is keeping a close eye on the Cook Strait ferry schedule today, with Platinum Goddess (Alpine Eagle) booked to cross the Strait this evening ahead of contesting the ANZAC Day Lest We Forget (2600m).
“She is supposed to cross on the ferry tonight, so hopefully it goes,” she said. “We are just looking for that better track and we weren’t going to get it in the North Island, so we have decided to bring her down here and I think the 2600m will really suit her.”
