Winner of controversial Ellerslie race joins Moody to chase Melbourne Cup

Platinum Invador counts the re-run City Of Auckland Cup at Ellerslie among his victories. PICTURE/ RACE IMAGES

One of New Zealand racing's most talented stayers will join Aussie comeback trainer Peter Moody this week to chase Melbourne Cup glory.

Platinum Invador, who won the controversial City Of Auckland Cup at Ellerslie on New Years Day, leaves for Melbourne tomorrow to join Moody.

Moody, best known as the man who trained unbeaten sprint queen Black Caviar, has
recently returned to training after a four-year absence after he was left disenchanted with the industry because of a six-month suspension.

Many times during his break Moody, who has also become a popular broadcaster, suggested he would never go back to training but relented this year and was straight back in the winner's circle.

Platinum Invador's major owner John Street, of Lincoln Farms, said they were thrilled to have Moody accept the horse.

"Everybody knows what a top trainer he is and the aim is the Melbourne Cup if all goes well," says Street, who has set up one of New Zealand's biggest dual-code ownership operations in Lincoln Farms.

"I have never had a Melbourne Cup starter and this horse is a real stayer so he deserves his shot.

"And with maybe no Europeans coming this season it looks like the right time."

Platinum Invador finished third in the Auckland Cup last season and was a NZ Derby placegetter the year before but is best known for winning the City Of Auckland Cup after the race was re-run following a false start declared when Pinmedown was still behind the stalls when the race started.

Experienced jockey Leith Innes was one of the first to react when the race was declared a false start, pulling Platinum Invador up quickly and conserving crucial energy that helped his case when the actual race was run 15 minutes later.

** Kiwi-owned sprint star Hello Youmzain has come up just short of adding a third group one victory to his record when finishing runner-up to Space Blues in Prix Maurice de Gheest (1300m) at Deauville in France.

Part-owned by Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay the son of Kodiac is destined join the Waikato farm's stallion roster.