Platinum Witness’ stablemate might be all that stands between her and a feature race double at Riccarton.
Regular rider Darryl Bradley believes that may well be the case on Wednesday in the G.2 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile following their victory on the course 12 months ago in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas.
At the same time, he has great faith in Platinum Witness who followed up her easy first-up win this preparation with a third placing at Trentham in the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate.
“She’s come up really well and her effort last time out at weight-for-age was outstanding,” Bradley said.“She’s hardly ever been out of the money and her worst runs have usually been second-up.”
The return to handicap racing on Wednesday gives her a gilt-edged opportunity to advance her record.“She drops down to 52kg, which is a gift weight, and she’s drawn beautifully,” Bradley said. “All we need is the racing luck and she’s going to be right in it.
“Lisa and her owners target these races and do a great job in programming the horses to get there.”Bradley will also partner Latta’s in-form mare Reilly Lincoln in the Gr.3 Lindauer Stewards’ Stakes Handicap.
“She’s been a game winner of her last two and she deserves her opportunity at a black type race like this,” he said.“The only drawback might be the draw, one from the outside, but it might not make a huge difference at Riccarton where it’s more or less a straight six furlongs.”
Reilly Lincoln is unbeaten this preparation after consecutive lower grade wins at Hawera and Trentham.
