Race Images Palmerston North
Lisa Latta believes she can get a maximum result from Five To Midnight on a minimum of racing.
The Awapuni trainer has the Livamol Classic on the final day of the Hawke’s Bay carnival at the top of her wish list for the five-year-old, who will have just one lead-up run before the October 7 weight-for-age feature.
Five To Midnight will resume in the Listed Merial Ancare Metric Mile on his home track on September 16 and Latta is confident he will then strip at peak fitness for the Hastings event.
“He’ll have another trial and a jump-out and that should all have him spot on,” Latta said.
The New Zealand-bred son of Domesday made his first trial appearance at Waverley last week when he finished midfield in a 1000m heat.
“The track was pretty testing so it was hard to get a line on him, but he pulled up well,” Latta said.
Five To Midnight completed his last campaign on a top note in April when he was successful in the Listed Hawke’s Bay Gold Cup.
His stablemates Authentic Paddy and Mighty Solomon also stepped out at Waverley ahead of Saturday’s Gr.2 Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate at Te Rapa.
“Authentic Paddy was good in winning his heat, but the track didn’t suit Mighty Solomon and he didn’t have too much pressure put on him. They are both well,” Latta said.
The former ran third in the Foxbridge Plate 12 months ago before multiple Group One placings while Mighty Solomon was third in the Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes and fourth in the Gr.1 Haunui Farm WFA Classic during his last preparation. – NZ Racing Desk.