Worth Her Weight in Platinum

Three-year-old filly Platinum Witness (California Dane) reached the pinnacle of racing with victory in the Group 1 $300,000 New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton Park, propelling her to the top of the NZB Filly of the Year Leaderboard.

Platinum Witness races to glory in the Group 1 New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas. Photo courtesy of Race Images Chch.

Group 1 glory came at Platinum Witness’ tenth start with the Lisa Latta trained filly only breaking her maiden two starts ago when winning the Listed Armadillo Stakes over the same course and distance.

Platinum Witness was the most experienced filly over the 1600m journey having also finished fourth in the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas last Saturday.

“She has always shown us a lot at home and that is why instead of winning a maiden race we kept racing in stakes company,” commented Latta. “It really showed that she is up to it.

“She raced a bit keen in the 2000 Guineas and that is why we elected to ride her a bit colder on Saturday.”

Rider Darryl Bradley put Platinum Witness to sleep mid-field as leader Darci’s Dream (NZ) (Darci Brahma) set an even speed.

Darci’s Dream skipped away from the field upon straightening and Platinum Witness was taken to the centre of the track to come with a finishing burst. The $55,000 Karaka Select Sale graduate let down with a strong turn of foot and raced to victory over Darci’s Dream and Belle Miraaj (NZ) (Iffraaj) to complete a Karaka trifecta.

“I think she can get over 2000m and beyond,” stated Latta. “On the whole she relaxes very well in her races. She is going to the paddock for three weeks then we will look at the Desert Gold or Levin Classic and then look at the staying races from March onwards.”

Saturday’s win was Platinum Witness’ second victory and took her earnings to $257,275 for owners John Street of Lincoln Farms Ltd & Neville McAlister.

Latta purchased Platinum Witness on behalf of long time stable clients Street and McAlister for $55,000 at the 2013 Karaka Select Sale from breeders Monovale Farm.

Platinum Witness is out of stakes winning mare Chartreuse (St Petersburg), the winner of the two Listed races as a two-year-old and a further Listed winner as a three-year-old. Chartreuse is a half-sister to Zarnitsa (Maroof), the dam of six-time stakes winner Zennista (Zenno Rob Roy), also trained by Latta.

The Group 1 victory propels Platinum Witness to the top of the NZB Filly of the Year Leaderboard as she collected 12 points in the Series on Saturday. Runner-up Darci’s Dream earned 7 points and third placegetter Belle Miraaj claimed 3.5 points.

The next race in the Filly of the Year Series is the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes at the Manawatu Racing Club on 13 December, the first leg of the new Wellfield Lodge Triple Crown Series.

To view the NZB Filly of the Year Leaderboard, click here.