Platelet too good again

Strategic three-year-old filly Platelet is racing in fine form and the Darren Weir-trainee ran up a hat-trick of Melbourne wins when proving too strong at the finish of the Listed Sir John Monash Stakes over 1100m at Caulfield on July 14.

Settled just off the early speed by Damian Lane, Platelet moved up four wide into the home straight to make her challenge, running on strongly to reach the lead 200m out and hold the late rally from Royal Bender, a daughter of Refuse To Bend.

"She's very game and very good," Lane said. "She just tried her heart out and will not give in." Platelet has now won five of her 12 races, two at stakes level having won the G3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes in 2011.

Bred in NSW by G H Forbes, who retains a share in the ownership, Platelet is out of Bloodline, a Woodlands Stud-bred daughter of Dracula who visited Epsom Derby winner Authorized in 2012.

Winner of the G1 Australia Stakes, Strategic is the sire of G1 winners Meurice, Mistegic and Strategic News among his 25 stakeswinners. He will stand the 2012 season at Darley Northwood Park in Victoria at a fee of $8,800 (inc. GST).