Platinum Attack defends Pegasus Stakes crown

Central Districts raider Platinum Attack proved himself a cut above his rivals when dashing home to defend his crown in Saturday’s Listed Donaldson Brown Pegasus Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton.

The Lisa Latta-trained gelding headed south in winning form, having taken out the Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) at Ellerslie last month, and he was backed into an even money favourite for Riccarton’s sprint feature.

From his wide alley, jockey Bruno Querioz was quick to find cover with Platinum Attack, and while they enjoyed an economical trip, they were met by a wall of horses as they entered the home straight. Queiroz had to work himself into a gap and finally found clear air with 250m to go. While Charmrose was several lengths clear, Platinum Attack sprouted wings in the concluding stages and flew home to score by a short neck.

While favourite punters were in a cold sweat for much of the journey, Latta was confident in the race plan and was full of praise for Queiroz in pulling it off.

“I said to Bruno, ‘I don’t care what you do, but get cover, you have got 60 kilos’,” Latta said. “I just watched a few of them getting exposed early today and getting well beaten. He rode him a treat.”

The six-year-old son of Santos has now won 10 of his 26 starts, including five at stakes level, and Latta is hoping there are plenty more to come.

“He has just got better and better and he has just learned his craft,” she said. “He used to do a fair bit wrong and now he just switches off.”

Next Saturday’s Listed Lindauer Stewards’ Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton now looms as Platinum Attack’s next target before he is put aside for some elite-level sprint targets in autumn.

“He holds a nom for the Stewards on the last day,” Latta said. “There is not a lot around in New Zealand for the sprinters, and then we will freshen him up for the Railway (Gr.1, 1200m).”