Briefs for 3rd March 2015

Oaks contender in good order; Magorrian back for Group One; Trentham next for The Bold One.

Oaks contender in good order

Platinum Witness pulled up well after a successful classic dress rehearsal at Hastings.

Trainer Lisa Latta said the filly was in top shape following her shared victory with Savaria in the Gr.3 Lowland Stakes and she doesn’t believe the distance of the Gr.1 Wellfield NZ Oaks will be an issue.

“I couldn’t be happier with her and I’m not concerned with the 2400 metres. She was left a sitting duck the other day – Darryl (Bradley) had to peel out when he did, otherwise he would have got dragged back.”

Magorrian back for Group One

Lee Magorrian returns from suspension at Ellerslie on Wednesday with a strong book of rides, including a Group One mount.

The Byerley Park apprentice will be reunited with Delveen in the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup after winning on the mare in January before they placed in the Gr.3 Trentham Stakes.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence going into the race,” Magorrian said. “She just relaxes out the back and she’s bred to stay.”

He will also partner the last-start winners Rasa Lila (race seven), Dresden Park (race eight) and Santiago (race 10), as well as Markwood (race one) and Irish Gem (race five).

Trentham next for The Bold One

The Bold One will return to the scene of his debut triumph on Saturday week in a bid to redeem himself.

The well-bred four-year-old has made an encouraging start to his career with two further wins, but raced below expectations last time out when third in a small field at Te Rapa.

“He disappointed me the other day,” trainer Allan Sharrock said. “He’ll run at Wellington in a Rating 85 over 1400m and I’ll take the blinkers off him.

“I know he’s a very good horse, but he’s still a bit of a goof.”