Classy mare Platelet has remained steady at the 2014 The Goodwood odds of $8 throughout the week, but trainer Darren Weir admits that he is not confident the five-year-old can record back-to-back wins in the Group 1 event at Morphettville on Saturday.
History is against Platelet recording her second straight victory in The Goodwood at Morphettville on Saturday. Photo by: Jenny Barnes
Platelet scored an upset win over Moment Of Change in last year’s edition of The Goodwood, but the Strategic mare faces a much tougher filed in the 2014 edition of the race and has been allocated the second top weight of 57 kilograms by the handicapper and will jump from barrier 17.
Trainer Darren Weir said that he has been happy with the form of Platelet since she returned to the races, with the mare finishing second behind Driefontein in both the Group 3 Irwin Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville on April 12 and the Group 1 Robert Sangster Classic (1200m) at the same venue a fortnight later, but believes that she faces a difficult assignment in The Goodwood tomorrow.
“I can’t fault her, but it is a little bit of a harder task I would say,” Weir said
“She is just unfortunate that she stepped away a little slow (in the Robert Sangster Stakes) and she was a pair further back than what we were hoping, but she the line really good and she has come through it really well.
“She is going to present there in good order, but I would think it is a pretty tough ask really.”
Platelet has shown plenty of tactical versatility during her racing career and Weir confirmed that he will be leaving it to jockey Brad Rawiller and stable representative Peter Ellis to decide where Platelet is settled during the running of the Group 1 event this weekend.
“I’m not sure just yet, but I’m sure that she will be in the first half,” Weir said.
“Brad and Peter will work the track and that and they will come up with a plan.”
The 2014 The Goodwood betting market remains extremely open and there has been plenty of support for Robert Sangster Stakes winner Driefontein ($7), Daniel Clarken-trained Miracles Of Life ($7.50), consistent sprinter Sistine Demon ($9) and McKay Stakes winner Essay Raider ($12), while the likes of Unpretentious ($10), Office Bearer ($21), Pago Rock ($26), Riziz ($31) and Ready To Rip ($31) have not been ignored by punters.
Platelet has the opportunity to become the first horse since Musket Belle in 1912 to win back-to-back editions of The Goodwood.
