Entirely Platinum was only narrowly denied a maiden win at Group level in the Memsie Stakes, but co-trainer Wayne Hawkes believes that the 2015 Makybe Diva Stakes is an even better race for the talented galloper.
Entirely Platinum has the chance to return to winning form in the 2015 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
Entirely Platinum looked like the winner of the Memsie Stakes with 150 metres left to run, but he was forced to settle for another second place finish in a Group 1 after Boban got a dream run on the rail.
Hawkes said that he was very pleased with the performance of Entirely Platinum in the Memsie Stakes and he told Racing Ahead that the son of Pentire had taken plenty of benefit from the run heading into the Makybe Diva Stakes.
“Everything is right with him,” Hawkes said.
“The mile at Flemington second-up is the perfect race for him albeit I think it will be a harder race than the 1400 Memsie of two weeks ago.
“He is really, really good and he has trained on well.”
Entirely Platinum was touted as a Caulfield Cup contender during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival, but he failed to fire over 2400 metres in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) at the end of his autumn campaign.
The six-year-old has been included in the nominations for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) and Hawkes indicated that Entirely Platinum could remain at a mile for races like the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on October 10 and the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“The mile will suit him down to the grade, we have run him over further distances, but we will probably keep him to the mile now because there is plenty of miles around for him,” Hawkes said.
“He has always looked like he is a Caulfield Cup horse, but you get him out to a trip and he doesn’t do the job.
“It will be good for us tomorrow and it will tell us a lot, but the horse looks a picture and he is in fine form.”
Entirely Platinum has not recorded a race win since he took out the Canterbury Hurlstone RSL Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens over 12 months ago and he is still chasing his first race win in Melbourne.
The Memsie Stakes winner is currently available at 2015 Makybe Diva Stakes odds of $13 with Ladbrokes, while Boban ($4.80) is now only a narrow favourite from Fawkner ($5.50).
