Latta seeks road to redemption
Lisa Latta will be looking for a positive response at Trentham today from Manhattan Street after the colt’s failure in Melbourne.
The Awapuni trainer is optimistic of a return to form from the 3- year- old in the NZTBA Wellington Guineas Trial after his disappointing effort in last month’s 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 yesterday.
“He had a week in the paddock and he has freshened up nicely. He’ll get track conditions to suit him at Trentham. 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 con- cern for stablemate Authentic Paddy who runs in the Thompson Hcp.
“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 weight- for- 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 Wellesley Stakes and 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.”
Matamata jockey Matthew Cameron is facing a tricky decision ahead of the season’s first group one challenge for 3- year- olds.
The contracted rider for Te Akau Stables will have to choose between the Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards- trained pair of Heroic Valour and Hall Of Fame for next month’s 2000 Guineas.
Cameron has been aboard Heroic Valour in five of his six starts and three of his four wins.
He also guided him to second in Saturday’s Barneswood Farm Stakes at Ashburton behind La Diosa.
“Heroic Valour got to the front a bit too soon so he’ll be ridden off the pace next time in the Guineas, he’s on target,” Autridge said.
“Hall Of Fame does the job right and Daniel Miller galloped him on Tuesday morning and he said don’t worry, he’s up there with the good ones. Matt will go down and ride Hall Of Fame on Saturday and then it’s his call as to which one he wants to ride.”
Cameron will partner Hall Of Fame in the Zacinto Stakes at Riccarton today in his Guineas dress rehearsal. Weather overcast, track slow ( 7)