By Ray Hickson
We could see a different side to impressive Gimcrack Stakes winner Platinum Jubilee as she aims to keep her unbeaten record intact at Randwick on Saturday.
It was hard to miss the youngster’s booming finish from near the tail back on October 1 but the make up of the Drinkwise Plate (1100m) has co-trainer Adrian Bott suspecting a return to a more standard Tulloch Lodge racing style is on the cards.
The filly drew the outside in the eight horse field and if she doesn’t step slowly, as she did on debut, Bott said she’s shown in her trials an ability to be forward and that could prove to be an edge.
“You can probably see her racing closer to the speed,’’ Bott said on Sky Sports Radio.
“Going into the Gimcrack we never expected her to be so far back in the run. Prior to that race she’d led up her trial at the official two-year-olds and was able to kick on and win.
“It was a race with plenty of speed on and plenty of pressure up front so no doubt it worked into her favour.
“We’re not likely to get that level of pressure on Saturday, she might have to see herself be a bit more tactical and putting herself in the race.”
Platinum Jubilee, $2.50 with TAB on Thursday, faces off against Breeders’ Plate winner Empire Of Japan ($2.40) in the two-year-old opener to the Christmas Eve meeting, and it’s a match up that’s sure to divide opinions.
Platinum Jubilee wins a Rosehill trial on December 8
When they raced in successive races on a heavy track at Randwick at their debuts, Empire Of Japan ran 0.11 seconds faster overall for the 1000m but Platinum Jubilee’s last 600m and 200m were a couple of lengths superior to the colt.
Bott said Saturday’s race is an important stepping stone to next month’s Magic Millions.
“It’s going to be a good race and certainly give you a good line on where she’s at and how she stacks up against some of the other fancied chances heading towards the Magic Millions race,’’ he said.
“Resuming over 1100m at the set weights should provide a nice springboard.
“She’s come back a few kilos stronger. She didn’t have a huge amount of time out but she went out in great shape after her win.”
Two trials have fitted Platinum Jubilee for her return and Bott said the first of them, where she ran second to Facile, was intentionally quiet before things ramped up on December 8.
She led all the way in that 900m heat and extended over the last 200m.
“She’s had the two nice trials since coming back, her first one a quieter trial and the second one at Rosehill she was asked for a bit more of an effort,’’ he said.
“She’s pretty laid back and casual, she’ll just do what she needs to and what’s asked of her so she can be a little bit unassuming from what you see around the stables at home.
“There was plenty of merit in the way she won on debut, you don’t see too many win in that fashion at her first start.”
Regan Bayliss again rides the filly on Saturday.
All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Randwick meeting