Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta has suffered a devastating blow with the loss of her Magnus gelding Platinum Kingdom.

The four-year-old was in pre-training when he suffered colitis and consequently had to be put down with laminitis.  “It was all ahead of him,” commented Latta.  “It was pretty gut-wrenching for us, the owners and all of the staff.”

Platinum Kingdom (4g Magnus – Miss Rangoon by Giant’s Causeway) had enjoyed an outstanding three-year-old season claiming Listed victories across the Tasman in the Champagne Stakes, Dunedin Guineas and Southland Guineas for owners Lincoln Farms and Neville McAlister.

Australia beckoned and he made an instant impact with a first-up victory in the Listed South Pacific Classic at Randwick followed by an unlucky fourth in the Listed Hawkesbury Guineas.

Platinum Kingdom then headed to the Queensland winter carnival and won the G3 Fred Best Classic at Doomben.  In what proved to be his final appearance, he finished fourth in the Listed Daybreak Lover at Eagle Farm.

A son of Eliza Park stallion Magnus (Flying Spur), he was a $67,500 buy from Rothwell Park at the 2010 Magic Millions National Foal Sale.