Entirely Platinum returned to racing in autumn for a close second behind Dissident in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, and co-trainer Wayne Hawkes is confident he is a better horse ahead of his spring return in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes under the same conditions on Saturday.
Entirely Platinum will return to racing in Saturday’s Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield. Photo: Steve Hart
Posting six wins and as many minors through 20 career starts so far, Entirely Platinum continued to impress in placing fourth in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) and sixth in the talent-rich Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m), but had clearly had enough when eleventh in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) last time out on March 28th.
Having pleased the team in the lead-up to the 2015 Memsie Stakes, Hawkes told Racing Ahead he is confident Entirely Platinum is a far-better horse this time in and is primed for a positive first-up result.
“He’s done well,” Hawkes said.
“He ran first-up in the autumn at the same conditions against Dissident in the CF Orr and lucky Dissident’s gone.
“Our bloke is very, very good and if he can bring his CF Orr race to Saturday he’ll be pretty hard to beat.
“We always thought he was a Caulfield Cup horse and every time we went to run him over a trip it never seem to work so not sure if we’ll keep him to a mile this time and he might end up in a race like the Emirates.
“He’s done super well and he goes good fresh over 1400m so it’s a good race for him on Saturday.”
The 2015 Memsie Stakes has not attracted many, if any pace horses, and Hawkes said Entirely Platinum is capable of adapting to any situation; whether at the fore of the capacity field or within the pack.
“He’s probably put down as a leader by everyone but he’s certainly doesn’t have to be a leader, it’s just if there’s no pace he can roll to the front and do what he has to do,” Hawkes said.
“If they’re going lickety-split he can run third, fourth or fifth and it’s probably the place to be.
“It really depends how cleanly he jumps out of the barriers and Dwayne (Dunn) will sort it out from there with the pace of the race.”
Entirely Platinum has so-far received the greatest share of wagers for success in 2015 Memsie Stakes betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au; cutting in from an opening quote of $12 to currently figure as $10 market mover.
