Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta has temporarily lost the services of one leading three-year-old, but in Platinum Witness she has a more than able replacement.

She was delighted with the filly’s effort to finish runner-up in the Listed HS Dyke Stakes at Wanganui and will be pinning her early-season age group racing hopes on the daughter of California Dane.

Platinum Witness is raced by long-time stable supporters Lincoln Farms and Neville McAllister, who have had the misfortune to see their Group One-performer Platinum Balos sidelined by a recurrence of a bone chip injury.

“We put her in pre-training, but weren’t happy,” Latta said. “She was slightly sore so they have re-operated on her knee and you definitely won’t see her out until the autumn.”

Platinum Balos placed in four of her five starts last season, including a third placing in the Gr.1 Diamond Stakes and a third in the Gr.3 Wakefield Challenge Stakes.

Platinum Witness is likewise still a maiden, but her effort to finish runner-up in the Wanganui Guineas last time out suggested a breakthrough is imminent.

She was slow to jump and got home powerfully to beat all but the northern visitor Twya.

“She had a week in the paddock while the weather was so good to freshen her up nicely and we’ll be looking at the Hawke’s Bay Guineas,” Latta said.

“She showed that she was looking for a bit more ground and she’s proved she’s up to racing against the boys.”

Latta said improved track conditions would also benefit Platinum Witness.

“Her mother was a real mudder, but this filly definitely likes the better tracks.”

Platinum Witness is out of Chartreuse, whose three Listed wins were all on rain-affected going.