Platinum Witness Wins NZ Thousand Guineas
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Platinum Witness wore down pacesetter Darci's Dream with a powerful finishing kick and won the New Zealand One Thousand Guineas (NZ-I) Nov. 15 at Riccarton Park.
The Lisa Latta trainee got an ideal stalking trip after she was settled back of midfield by Darryl Bradley. The California Dane filly was angled wide on the turn and stormed down the outside in a willing rally. She steadily reeled in Darci's Dream for a 1 1/4 length- triumph, with Belle Miraaj taking third, three-quarters of a length farther back.
A change in tactics unlocked the win for Platinum Witness, who came in off a fourth against males in the New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas (NZ-I) just a week ago.
"Last Saturday she was a bit above herself and raced keenly," Latta said. "We decided to ride her a bit more patiently this time. This filly has always showed a lot of ability and we had her set for this race for a long time."
Latta trains Platinum Witness for longtime clients Lincoln Farms and Neville McAlister and bought her on their behalf for NZ$55,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock select yearling sale at Karaka. Breeder Monovale Farm consigned the filly, who was produced by stakes winner Chartreuse, by St Petersburg.
"Turning in she was traveling really well and Darci's Dream kicked, but Platinum Witness was too strong over the concluding stages," Bradley said of the winner. She completed the trip in 1:36.32.
Disappointing was hot favorite O'Marilyn, who finished unplaced, halting a three-race win streak that includes the Sires' Produce Stakes (NZ-I) in March. In stretching out to a mile for the first time, the filly was prominent early with Sam Spratt but eventually faded to finish seventh.
Platinum Witness has a 2-4-1 record from 10 starts, including a 2 1/2-length victory in the listed Armadillo Stakes Oct. 25 at Riccarton Park.