All roads lead to Silver Eagle for Platinum Pantheon

New Zealand-trained gelding Platinum Pantheon got his Australian campaign off to a pleasing start at Randwick on Saturday when finishing runner-up over 1200m.

It was the four-year-old gelding’s fourth consecutive second placing, having been runner-up in his last three outings in Queensland over winter, including the Group 3 Winx Guineas (1600m) and Listed Queensland Day Stakes (1200m).

Trainer Lisa Latta was buoyed by his first-up performance and she is hoping he can now gain a start in the A$1 million Silver Eagle (1300m) at Randwick on Saturday week.

“He was doing his best work late and it was exactly what we wanted fresh-up,” Latta said.

“He has come through the race really well and he has eaten up. All going well, he will go to the Silver Eagle in a fortnight. We will double nom him that day, there are a few other races, if he didn’t make that field.”

Back in New Zealand, Latta was pleased with Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Manzor Blue’s fourth placing in Saturday’s Egmont Cup (2100m) at Hawera.

“I am just gutted that the rain came in the morning, she just didn’t need that,” Latta said. “She had another solid hit-out and Joe Doyle (jockey) was really happy with her. She found the line well.”