Latta hopes colt can bounce back to top form

Guineas Trial after his disappointing effort in last month’s Group II Bill Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley.

Manhattan Street had every chance in the race, but dropped out quickly to tail the field home.

‘‘He was checked by the vet over there and we had our vet to him when he got home and they couldn’t find anything amiss,’’ Latta said. ’’He had a week in the paddock before he came back into work and he has freshened up nicely.

‘‘He still holds a nomination for the 2000 Guineas, but we’ll see what happens on Saturday first.’’

While the ground will suit Manhattan Street, it is a cause for concern for stablemate Authentic Paddy who runs in the Group III Cambridge Handicap.

‘‘It’s a bit of a worry, now he’s older he doesn’t like it too wet but he needs a run before the weightfor-age race at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup day,’’ Latta said.

The stable’s other runners at Trentham include Dreams Of Platinum, who ran third on debut, in the Listed Wellesley Stakes and Lodge Thompson the reliable Bannockburn in the Hanley Formula Premier.

‘‘Dreams Of Platinum surprised us at Tauherenikau where she jumped and led as she’d been slowly away at the trials,’’ Latta said. ’’She’s done very well since and Bannockburn is a very honest horse and he should run well again.’’

– NZ Racing Desk