Consistent filly Platelet (Strategic) has overcome unfavourable weights and a dicey draw to prevail comfortably in Saturday’s $70,000 TattsBet Handicap (1200m) at Flemington.
Platelet earned a 60kg handicap with her win at Group 3 level during the Melbourne spring last year but had struggled to find the line in the three starts of her current preparation.
The three-year-old also had an awkward draw of barrier one on the Flemington straight track to contend with. Most winners have come down the centre of the course to score in straight races at Flemington over the past 12 months.
Trainer Darren Weir’s engagement of jockey Damian Lane solved both problems. The apprentice took 1.5kg off Platelet’s hefty impost while the teenager produced a smart ride to ease Platelet off the fence soon after the start.
Platelet’s quick beginning allowed Lane to take his mount to the front, about five horses off the fence, from where he controlled the speed before the three-year-old sprinted clear of her rivals late to record a 1-1/2 length win.
"My little concern was barrier one and the 1200 (metres),” Weir said.
"I don’t know whether she runs out a really strong 1200 but when he got across as easy as he did, then he got to where we wanted to be, and the way she was travelling at the 400 (metres), we were pretty happy with the way things were panning out.
"It was a great ride. The instructions were to ride her where she landed and don’t be going too early.”
Platelet defeated Reigning Lass by 1-1/2 lengths with another short half-head back to Handcut. Platelet started at $2.40 on track and paid the same price on the Victorian TAB.
Platelet covered the 1200 metres in 1:10.86, which included a last 600 metres of 34.35 seconds.
Platelet was not offered at any yearling sale but the filly has now won three of her 10 starts and more than $195,000 for her owners – Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, G Holt, G Forbes, J Macdonald, P Brittain, B Fellows, A Downing, Enjoy The Ride Syndicate, A T B Bloodline Syndicate and Inas Racing.