Platinum Diamond (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) will put her undefeated Heavy track record on the line when she heads to Wanganui on Saturday to contest the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m).
After finishing fourth on a Soft5 track at Hawera on debut in May, the daughter of Hello Youmzain won her next three starts, including the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) and Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki on Heavy10 tracks.
While Platinum Diamond’s form is on Heavy surfaces, Latta was looking forward to testing her filly on better footing, however, with the Wanganui track rated a Heavy8 on Wednesday morning and rain forecast ahead of the weekend, it is likely to remain in the Heavy range.
“We were looking forward to trying to get her back onto a bit better track to see how she will go (on a better surface), but it is what it is and you can’t change it,” she said.
Platinum Diamond has been freshened since her Ryder Stakes victory last month and Latta is pleased with the way her filly his tracking ahead of her three-year-old debut on Saturday.
“She had a couple of weeks in the paddock after the Ryder and she freshened up nicely,” Latta said. “She had her final gallop this (Wednesday) morning and worked really nice.”
Latta is also looking forward to testing her filly’s talent against a few new northern raiders.
“It is definitely a stronger field than what she has been up against,” she said.
On the undercard, four-year-old gelding Amazing Son will be looking to break through for his maiden victory after finishing runner-up in his first two starts, including at Hawera last Saturday.
Latta has been pleased with the way he has come through the run and will apply blinkers this weekend when he contests either the Wanganui Insurance Brokers Maiden (1200m) or Dave Hoskin Carriers Maiden (1340m).
“Being by Belardo he will be looking for that looser, wetter track,” she said. “We have added the blinkers. He was very green last Saturday but he has pulled up well and hopefully those blinkers will help rectify him hanging out a bit.”
Stable stalwart Old Town Road will also head to Wanganui where the eight-win gelding will line-up in the Cloudsoft Accounting Systems Open 1200.
“He hates the sticky tracks and we have had a lot of those this season,” Latta said. “He is either looking for a touch better or a loose track. Hopefully we may get a loose track on Saturday.”
Latta’s team will be rounded out with a two-pronged attack in the Take It Easy Tours (1600m), courtesy of Perfect Test and Deadly Pony.
“Both are looking for wet tracks,” Latta said. “Perfect Test races well at Wanganui and Deadly Pony is knocking right on the door and could be looking to step up to 2000m after this run.”