WELLINGTON - The group one Thorndon Mile at Trentham next January could be a long term aim for exciting mare Platonic.
The Trustful four-year-old landed her fifth straight victory with an effortless win in the group three $45,000 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) for fillies and mares at Trentham on Saturday.
Waikato trainer Graham Richardson is now rightfully setting his sights higher but he said his biggest problem would be getting her into some better races before she gets too much weight.
"She's come a long way in a short time and she'll go out for a break of four to six weeks now," Richardson said.
"I would like to get her into a group one race near the bottom of the handicap and I'll have to place her carefully from now on to do that."
Richardson said he would like to take the mare to Australia next season but it was more likely to be in the autumn than in the spring.
"Mares can be a bit difficult in the spring and we'll just have to see how she progresses."
Platonic did not begin racing until last December when she ran a close second at a Waipa meeting. She has since been unbeaten and looks destined for much higher honours.
The mare is raced by her breeders Chris and Glen Dillon, former Central Otago farmers who now live in Auckland.
The Dillons have raced a number of horses over the years including Platonic's grand-dam, the talented mare Anita Kay. She won 11 races and left the talented Kiss Me Kate.
It is also the family of top stayer Aquidity and the smart South Island galloper Greek Magic.
Platonic is the second foal from the Noble Bijou mare Mikis, who proved a shy breeder and was sold for $5000 at a South Island sale two years ago.
The Dillons were unable to be at Trentham to witness the win as their daughter Stephanie was graduating from Otago University. But their son Greg was on hand to accept the trophy.
Platonic has been ridden in each of her six starts by Leith Innes, who believes the mare should be unbeaten.
"She should have won her first start but just didn't get up," Innes said.
"She's very classy and has a good 400 metre sprint. She dug deep today and found the line really well."
Platonic took the honours by 21/2 lengths and gave her rivals no chance after storming to the front at the 200m. She's A Meanie, after getting pushed wide on the turn, ran on well to pip Country Rose for second with Canny Deal a close up fourth.
- NZPA
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