Platine Alpha looks to rebound on Sunday

Trois-Rivieres, QC – Last year was an unbelievable harness racing season for local star Platine Alpha. Bred, owned and trained by Sylvain Tremblay and his Alpha Stable of Metabechouan, Platine Alpha won nine times last season, some of those wins against older horses.

Such is not the case in 2022. In fact, Platine Alpha has yet to win a race after five starts and may be ready to cut loose Sunday in the Mares Open Handicap Pace at the Hippodrome 3R according to Tremblay.

“The start to the season that promised well,” Tremblay said. “Nice qualifying at Rideau Carleton and in the first race she didn’t end as we were used to. Big limp afterwards.

“Everything is healed, and she trains very well,” Tremblay added. “The form is back, and she is ready to win. The Rideau track is not easy at the start of the season. Often very hard as cement.”

This will be the last start at H3R for Platine Alpha. After her race on Sunday both Platine Alpha and Stella Alpha will be going to race in Toronto.

“Platine and Stella both will be going to the stable of Cassandra Lecourt,” Tremblay said. “

“After her race on Sunday, she is going to stay in Toronto with her stablemate Stella at Cassandra Lecourt’s Stable. Stella goes for the Gold and Platine has some beautiful classes for her to compete in and they both should meet our expectations.

“Stella will be back to compete in the Breeders Trophy Series at H3R this summer,” Tremblay said.

Platine Alpha starts from post six in the sixth race feature. Her main rivals will be You Rock Girl Kir (post 4) for driver Steeven Genois. They won this race last week. Also, a contender will be Shemaksmefelunreal (post 5) for driver Kiwon Waldron.

Spectrum Seelster has been very successful since H3R opened for the season and moves up the ladder of success again, taking on the top of the class in the 8^th race Preferred Handicap Pace.

Currently on a two-race win streak, Spectrum Seelster goes from post five for driver Stephane Brosseau, who has steered him in both his previous wins, the fastest in 1:56. The six-year-old gelding by Mach Three is trained by Jean-Francios Reid for owners Charles, Daniel and Maxim Gaudreault.

Other contenders in the field are Mickeymaksomespeed (post 6) for driver Kiwon Waldron and Goldinthebadlands (post 8) for driver Marie-Claude Auger.

First race post time Sunday at H3R is 12:00 noon. For a free race program, visit www.hippodrome3r.ca.

by Steve Wolf, for the Quebec Jockey Club