Latta Trains Her Thousandth NZ Winner

A barnstorming late run by 3YO filly Platinum Star (Burgundy) that carried her to a maiden victory at Woodville on Sunday also brought up a special milestone for trainer Lisa Latta. The victory was Latta’s one thousandth New Zealand career winner after she was encouraged to step out as a trainer in her own right following the death of her boss and mentor Malcolm Smith in 1998. According to racingnews.co.nz, Latta trained five winners in her first solo season and has built an enviable record over the past 24 years through the deeds of quality gallopers such as Wharite Princess, Fort Lincoln, Mikki Street, Platinum Witness, Platinum Invador and Sentimental Miss. Winning the National Trainers’ Premiership in the 2013/2014 season is one of many highlights for Latta, finishing runner-up the following season to Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman. The Awapuni-based trainer has prepared the winners of 62 stakes races domestically, in addition to winning black-type races in Australia with the likes of Platinum Kingdom and Zennista. To reach the 1000-win milestone is something Latta never contemplated when she took the decision to enter the trainers ranks on her own. “I guess this has been a long time coming and it is more a feeling of relief to get the monkey off my back rather than anything else at the moment,” she said. “I’m not sure how long I was on 999 but it seems like forever. It was great to achieve the 1000 wins with a horse bred and part-owned by Neville McAlister, as he has played such a big part in my career." While loathe to single out the best horse she has trained, Latta reserves special mention for 2011 Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) winner Fort Lincoln.

Lisa Latta joined the millennium club (pic: Trish Dunell)