Group One performer Platinum Invador (NZ) (Redwood) will have a last ditch effort at trying to secure a spot in the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) when he lines-up at Flemington on Saturday.
The son of Redwood will contest the Gr.3 Hotham Stakes (2500m) with the winner gaining automatic entry into the race that stops a nation next Tuesday.
Having transferred from Lisa Latta to Peter Moody’s Pakenham barn earlier this spring, Platinum Invador showed a glimpse of his best when third in the Gr.2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield earlier this month before a seventh placing in the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) last start.
“His New Zealand form says he has got a short, sharp sprint,” Moody said.
“Luke (Nolen, jockey) rode him the other day and wheeled out around them and in hindsight we should have ridden him a little bit closer and we should have just waited and had one crack at them in the straight. He gets to them and just struggles.
“We will be riding him for luck and riding him to try and produce it in the straight rather than on the circle this weekend. He is in good order. Is he good enough? We will find out a bit more in the weekend.”
Platinum Invador won four of his 20 starts in New Zealand, including the Gr.3 City Of Auckland Cup (2400m), and placed in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m), Listed Wanganui Cup (2040m), Gr.3 Manawatu Cup (2400m), and Gr.2 Avondale Cup (2400m).
He was purchased by Latta out of Westbury Stud’s 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Festival Yearling Sale draft for $25,000.
