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By Ray Hickson

It’d be a high bar to set for Platinum Ridge to live up to the deeds of his half-sister but trainer Luke Pepper is confident he can take another step at the Sapphire Coast on Sunday.

The younger sibling to Pepper’s former star Opal Ridge returns to the scene of his impressive maiden win in the Sapphire Coast Buslines Handicap (1413m) and Pepper said he will only continue to improve.

“It’s never easy coming out of maiden grade and taking on 58 grade but I think he’s the right horse to do it,’’ he said.

“He’s drawn well and has good gate speed, the 1400m suits him better than 1200m.

“We were confident going to Sapphire in the Super Maiden, he’s still new and learning but he’s a lovely horse and hopefully we can step through the grades.

“He’s very relaxed, (Opal Ridge) was obviously very gifted and there’s big shoes to fill so we’ll take tiny steps and see where we end up.”

In 20 starts for Pepper, Opal Ridge won seven races including two at Listed level and the $500,000 Tapp-Craig and was placed in a Kosciuszko and a Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes. She was served by champion stallion Snitzel last spring.

Platinum Ridge made his debut at Muswellbrook in July last year and didn’t handle a testing heavy track but a throat infection meant he didn’t make his return until last month.

Pepper feels that extended break will work in his favour as, unlike Opal Ridge, he’s a horse with plenty of stature.

Brodie Loy rides the three-year-old again and Pepper said he should make his presence felt.

“To be fair the break has probably been a blessing in disguise. It’s done him a world of good,’’ he said.

“He should be hard to beat, that was a tough Super Maiden but it’s never easy stepping up. Hopefully it can all go well and he can get the job done.

“Whether it’s this prep or next prep I think we’ll definitely see him in a Highway in the future.”

Cyclone Rupert has finished just behind the placings in all three runs for Pepper and he says the Schute Bell Badgery Lumby & Monaro Wool Handicap (1010m) is a nice chance for him to break through.

The five-year-old’s latest fourth was in a TAB Highway at Randwick two weeks ago and after he was balloted out of Saturday’s Highway the Sapphire Coast became Plan B.

“He ran a super race in the Highway but just found 1200m too far on the heavy going,’’ Pepper said.

“It looks a really good option, he’s going great and I’d just like to see him get a win on the board.

“It’s been a long time since he’s won. He’s run three really good fourths and we’re placing him to win.”

Platinum Ridge wins at Sapphire Coast on May 18

Luke Pepper on Mctominay (race 2): “He’s got good speed, he’s definitely not the finished product and will improve after the run. He’s been a difficult horse at home but he’s going better now and hopefully he can run well.”

On Fifty Five Mustang (race 5): “He trialled lovely at Goulburn the other day, he will improve into the preparation. He is a horse that has ability, he’s had his issues all the way through but we think we’ve got him as good as he’s ever been and hopefully he can run a good race.”

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday's Sapphire Coast meeting