"PLATINUM" AN ASSET TO TEAM KEARNEY

THURSDAY: April 18, 2024: MOTHERHOOD can wait!

Bloodstock agent Danielle Hamlin purchased a four-year-old mare, who had been placed four times without winning, for $9500 online last October with the intention of breeding from her.

But a friendship with Hawkesbury’s Desiree Kearney, who trains in partnership with husband Mitch, led to a change of plans – and her broodmare career was put on hold.

Thankfully for all concerned, it has turned out to be a “blue chip” decision as Platinum Asset broke through at home today, earning just over $20,000.

Ridden by Keagan Latham, Platinum Asset ($21) finished resolutely to land the HRC Motel Maiden Handicap (1600m), leading home a Hawkesbury trifecta.

Platinum Asset beat Mick Attard’s gallant Highland Eightgee ($5.50) and James Ponsonby’s Himeros ($7).

Fellow Hawkesbury trainer Steve O’Halloran’s $1.80 favorite Royalify finished fourth.

Platinum Asset is a four-year-old daughter of Spieth from the Fastnet Rock mare Our Girl Raquie (a half-sister to inaugural Big Dance winner Rustic Steel), and whose granddam Shantha’s Choice produced stars such as Redoute’s Choice, Platinum Scissors and Manhattan Rain.

Platinum Asset was a $60,000 Gold Coast Magic Millions yearling in 2021, and raced nine times for fellow Hawkesbury trainer Claire Lever for placings at Orange, Taree, Queanbeyan and Mudgee.

She was having her seventh start today for Team Kearney, and had been placed at Mudgee and Newcastle.

“Danni initially wanted to breed from Platinum Asset because she is such a well-bred mare,” Desiree Kearney explained.

“But she considered giving her a further try with a different try and, because we are friends, asked if both of us could enter into a lease and for Mitch and I to train her.

“It has taken us a while to work the mare out.

“We now know it is best not to do too much with her once she is fit, and to keep her fresh and happy.”

The husband and wife trainers also had $9.50 chance More Voltage, who finished sixth after his apprentice rider Jett Stanley made a quick bid at the 1000m to wrest the lead from the eventual runner-up, and tried to pinch it.

“We were surprised there was such a difference in the prices between our mare and the favorite Royalify,” Desiree Kearney said.

“Platinum Asset ran a really good race when third in a 1500m Provincial Maiden at Newcastle earlier in the month, and was less than a length behind Royalify.”

The mare’s breakthrough at her 16th start was Team Kearney’s fifth of the season, and first this calendar year after mudlark Lady Shenanigans scored at Royal Randwick on Boxing Day.

. HOOFNOTE: Being NSW school holidays, the couple’s children, son Jack (14) and daughter Isabella (11), were able to be on course with their parents to cheer Platinum Asset home.

Now, the youngest Kearney has an important assignment of her own, competing over the next three days in pony events at nearby Hawkesbury Show.

Platinum Asset’s rider Latham and apprentice Zac Lloyd shared the riding honors with a double each.

Latham also won on Zerkhan ($2.15 favorite, whilst leading apprentice Lloyd took his Hawkesbury tally for the season to eight (three behind front-runner Tyler Schiller) by scoring on Bianco Nero ($4) and Fiddlers Green ($2.05 favorite).