Platinum Rocker will jump from barrier 15 in the 2014 Tattersall’s Tiara at Eagle Farm on Saturday and trainer Simon Miller has revealed that he is happy with his star mare’s wide barrier draw.
Platinum Rocker finished fifth behind Cosmic Endeavour in the Dane Ripper Stakes at her last start. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Miller has elected to apply blinkers to Platinum Rocker for the first time in her racing condition and the leading Perth trainer told Racing Ahead that he believes the wide draw will help the Love A Dane mare find a nice position and settle in the Tattersall’s Tiara this weekend.
“I wanted to draw wide this time because I put the shades back on,” Miller said.
“I haven’t had them on her since her early racing days and she can get a bit fierce with them.
“I just thought with the blinkers back on and a bit of galloping room, we can come across on our own accord and we don’t have to dig her out and fire her up.
“From out there we can just amble across and slot into a position hopefully.”
Platinum Rocker started her 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival campaign with a solid third behind Srikandi and La Pieta in the Listed Silk Stocking (1200m) at the Gold Coast on May 3 before finishing third Srikandi again in the Group 3 Glenlogan Park Stakes (1350m) at Doomben on May 24.
The six-year-old received a great run in transit in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 7, but tired in the final stages of the race to finish fifth; a performance which Miller admits was slightly disappointing.
“Probably just that last one was the most disappointing run so far,” Miller said.
“It was a fading fifth and not a closing fifth, but she was taking on better horses and this one gets her back to set weights with no penalties and that will be a major help for her; I just don’t think that she carries that extra weight.
“There are a few things in our favor, we have freshened her up a little bit at home and the addition of blinkers.
“I watched her work on Tuesday morning and she was outstanding and I am pleased with that aspect.
“She has managed to tick every box, but she is taking on a strong field.”
Platinum Rocker is currently available at the lengthy Tattersall’s Tiara odds of $41 to record her maiden win at Group 1 level after finishing second behind Luckygray in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) last year.
