Talented four-year-old Entirely Platinum has produced an all-round strong event to claim the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon ahead of Midsummer Sun and Desert Jeuney; pre-post favourite and market mover Diametric unable to match the race’s late pace.

Entirely Platinum wins the 2014 Sky High Stakes and is nominated for the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Picture: Steve Hart
Having jumped well, Entirely Platinum took up ideal position on the heels of early leader Julienas, allowing the well-trialled seven-year-old to dictate the pace before exploding from the pack in the final straight, comfortably pulling away to finish a comfortably two lengths in the clear.
Co-trainer Michael Hawkes was thrilled with the Entirely Platinum’s performance in the Sky High Stakes and shared his joy immediately after the race.
“The game plan was to get him relaxed; if you get him relaxed and switched off he’ll do the rest” Hawkes said.
“Over the back I thought he ran brilliantly; he jumped in behind Jimmy (Cassidy) and gave him cover and it made him switch right off.
“When he came round the corner and they hadn’t moved on him it was all over.”
Having now claimed five wins from only eleven race starts, Hawkes said Entirely Platinum still has a lot to learn and his best is yet to come.
“He’s still learning, he’s not there yet and he’s a lovely horse, loves the wet and he’s just the perfect horse you dream of” he said.
“You’ve got to give credit to the owners as well with this horse; they’ve just been so patient. We just said be kind, itll come and it’s come today.”
Jockey Corey Brown returned from Singapore to take the ride on the classy Pentire gelding in the Sky High Stakes, and was thrilled with the performance this afternoon.
“He chased the line really, really hard; he had a perfect run in the race” Brown said following the race.
“Jimmy on the leader was pretty determined to keep the speed rolling and my horse was really happy.
“If I had to grab hold of him he probably would have pulled a little bit but I just loved the way he lengthened stride and hit the line.
“Once he learns what it’s all about and the penny drops 100% he’ll sort of even out; he’s a lovely horse.”
Having been included in early nominations for the 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), Entirely Platinum is now sure to firm substantially in betting markets for success in the major Group 1 event.
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2014 Sky High Stakes Results
Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 10 | ENTIRELY PLATINUM (NZ) | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Corey Brown | – | 7 | 54kg | $4.40 |
2 | 7 | MIDSUMMER SUN (GB) | Sam Kavanagh | Jason Collett | 1.3L | 1 | 54kg | $21 |
3 | 9 | DESERT JEUNEY | Nigel Blackiston | Chad Schofield | 1.5L | 2 | 54kg | $18 |
4 | 6 | LET’S MAKE ADEAL | Nigel Blackiston | Craig Williams | 1.8L | 8 | 54kg | $9 |
5 | 1 | JULIENAS (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse | Jim Cassidy | 2L | 3 | 59kg | $26 |
6 | 2 | BRIGANTIN (USA) | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 2.2L | 10 | 57.5kg | $21 |
7 | 5 | DIAMETRIC (IRE) | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 2.8L | 9 | 55kg | $4EF |
8 | 4 | PRINCE CHERI (FR) | David Vandyke | Jay Ford | 2.9L | 4 | 56.5kg | $4EF |
9 | 3 | LIGHTINTHENITE | John O’Shea | James McDonald | 8.9L | 5 | 56.5kg | $12 |
10 | 8 | LUNAYIR (FR) | Chris Waller | Craig Newitt | 11.8L | 6 | 54kg | $16 |