Local trainer Lisa Latta was to the fore once again on her home track at Awapuni on Saturday with a winning double that included the quinella in the first race of the day.

Promising juvenile Platinum Rapper showed plenty of grit to haul in stablemate Sentimental Miss in the closing stages of a tough slog on a heavy track in the two-year-old 1200m contest. Just two races later former top juvenile Manhattan Street returned to winning form when he strode to victory in a rating 75, 1200m event.

Platinum Rapper had hinted a winning turn was just around the corner after finishing fifth at Te Rapa at her previous start. Settled towards the rear in the early running by rider Kelly McCulloch, the Makfi filly looked a forlorn hope as the pressure went on approaching the home bend as she struggled to get balanced in the testing underfoot conditions.

Sentimental Miss, who was on debut, shot clear with 200m to run however McCulloch had Platinum Rapper winding up strongly and she sustained an irresistible finishing burst to claim the victory.

“She really found the line nicely at Te Rapa and being by Makfi she was going to like a bit of rain,” said Latta after the race.

“I’ve got a lovely team of two-year-olds and hopefully they will go on at three.”

McCulloch believes her charge has the ability to go further in her career once she learns what the racing game is all about.

“She was sort of on and off the bridle throughout as she is still learning,” she said.

“She got through the track okay and I think she’s got a bit of a future.

“I actually thought we were in a bit of a hopeless position around the turn, but she reined them in quite easily in the finish.

“Credit to the other filly as she fought when we got to her, so they are two nice fillies.”

 Platinum Rapper is out of Encosta de Lago mare Wednesday Rocks and is a younger half-sister to Gr.3 Winter Cup runner-up Platinum Command.