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Platelet has continued her raid of Adelaide riches with a second Group 1 success in The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville last Saturday.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The Darren Weir-trained mare returned to Adelaide last Saturday a fortnight after knocking off the heavily tried Snitzerland during the Robert Sangster Classic (1200m).
Platelet again loomed as the main danger to a clear favourite last Saturday in the Peter Moody-trained Moment Of Change.
While his Canterbury Stakes performance was disappointing, Moment Of Change still commanded respect after a pair of Group 1 seconds earlier in the preparation behind Black Caviar (Lightning) and Shamexpress (Newmarket).
Capable of good showings from sitting both on the tempo and further back, Platelet jumped smartly for jockey Ben Melham who then eased her back and midfield.
The mare proceeded to move out three wide approaching the turn with a trail until straightening at the centre of the track before a half length success ensued.
Local galloper Conservatorium ran a cheeky race up on the speed for second while Altar bolstered her black type record with a third.
Moment Of Change ran fifth.
The Barely A Moment gelding was positioned midfield on the fence throughout and whilst held up for a run early in the straight, didn’t deliver the expected turn of foot once clear.
Mares don’t come much more honest than Platelet and she has well and truly been rewarded for her consistency looking at the four-year-olds record.
Platelet has raced 19 times for seven wins and ten minor placings with prizemoney earnings now closing in on $1million.
She has hit career best form this campaign having recorded a new master figure in each of her past three starts.
Platelet now possesses a master Timeform rating of 118 which definitely sits at the top end of winning figures run to in the Goodwood over the past 20 years.
Fourth highest in fact and the second highest winning figure of a mare, only exceeded by 2012 winner Black Caviar assessed at 127.
Super Elegant [120, 2004] and Keeper [121, 2001] are the other winners during that time to have reached 120 or better during their Goodwood successes.
Black Caviar as she regularly does with the events belonging to her long list of Group 1 victories has dramatically increased the previous five-year winning average of the Goodwood and Platelet sits very close to that number.
Platelet also continues the latest dominance of the fairer sex in the event with popular 2009 winner Takeover Target the last male to taste Goodwood success in what was his final victory.
Lone Rock flew the flag for the fillies in 2011 while Velocitea won the 2010 renewal.
Darren Weir post race didn’t commit to any immediate plans for Platelet although there are options for the ultra reliable sprinter in Queensland over the winter.