By MIKE DILLON
Ask Graham Richardson what went wrong with Platonic at Te Aroha last start and he blinks.
He has no idea.
The class mare finished 12th in the Breeders Stakes and on form looks 20-1 in the $120,000 Japan/NZ International Trophy at Tauranga and Richardson is guaranteeing nothing.
But he knows the class mare is good enough if close to her best.
"I really have no idea what made her perform so badly in the Breeders Stakes at Te Aroha.
Richardson is as confident as he can be that Platonic is close to her best judging her physically.
"She looks terrific, but only this race will tell whether she's back to her best," said Richardson yesterday.
"Her work has been good and if she doesn't perform this time she'll be going out for a good spell."
There is a heap of opposition.
Soap Opera, Saint Cecile, O'Malleys Boy and Regency are particularly strong chances.
Soap Opera has been the almost giant-killer of the last two seasons. She could not kick quite as well as expected when only fifth in the Breeders Stakes at Te Aroha last start, but she is capable of a lot better.
With Hero in the race, Saint Cecile will find it almost impossible to take up her favourite pacemaking role and the task may be more difficult than leading throughout.
She handled the leading role brilliantly in winning the Breeders Stakes at Te Aroha and is a class mare with a real winning chance whether she leads or not.
The finish Regency produced at Te Aroha would have produced a win in most company and a similar effort would get her into the trifecta here.
Forgive Bel Air his failure in the NZ St Leger at Trentham last start when weighing up his chances in the second leg of the TAB double, the $30,000 Owens Services Bay Of Plenty Cup.
Bel Air could finish only fifth in the St Leger, but he got shuffled back on the home and his effort was a lot better than it looked.
"He's freshened up nicely since that race," said owner trainer Peter Walker yesterday.
"His work this week has been very smart."
Drama Queen is a horse on the make. Her debut open handicap win last week was no fluke and this is a real chance to make it two from two. She has staying power than can get her home, even against the likes of Bel Air.
Racing: Platonic near best for Tauranga
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