"I would be lying if I said I wasn't feeling the pressure with the Boys Get Paid having so much money on him," she said.
The social media driven punting and racing enthusiasts Boys Get Paid helped ensure He's A Doozy started $3.60 favourite, with a $60,000 bet at fixed odds of $5.50 returning a $330,000 windfall. While Latta may have been under the pump, it was a calm performance from her jockey Kozzi Asano.
"Kozzi rode him beautifully and a touch handier than we normally would and they just did it easily," she said.
He's A Doozy was quickly into stride and lobbed along behind the pace before angling into the clear at the top of the straight.
"The way the racing was going, the middle part of the track was the best place to be, the inside was a bit off," Asano said.
"The leader rolled off so I got out and I thought I may have got to the front too early, but he was too good.
"Thank you to the owners and Lisa for letting me stick with this horse. I'm pleased to get the job done."
He's A Doozy has now won seven of his 20 appearances and Latta said stronger competition had brought out the best in the five-year-old.
"He's been a bit quirky at times and used to over-race, but I think now he is getting up in the grades and they run along a lot better he gets the chance to settle," she said.
"He will have a week in the paddock now. We set him for this race and everything has gone to plan so we'll get him home and have a good think about things."
He's A Doozy was hotly challenged in the closing stages by Kick On, with Phelan The Power claiming third.
"It was a super run and he just got held up momentarily, but the winner was too good," Kick On's co-breeder and part-owner Sam Trotter said.
Trotter didn't have to wait long to see his colours in the winner's circle as homebred Yolo took the closing event, the 1800m Premier.
NZ Racing Desk
