The Lisa Latta-trained 7yr-old produced a brilliant burst of speed to win the 1600m feature for delighted jockey Ryan Elliot.
The win bettered Platinum Command’s fourth placing in the race last year and her runner-up effort the year before.
It also provided valuable black print for the mare’s pedigree page before she is retired at the end of the Grand National carnival.
The 1800m Winter Classic at Riccarton next Saturday is likely to be Platinum Command’s last start.
Latta credited Elliot for getting the sometimes temperamental Platinum Command to settle perfectly in the running.
"It was a gem of a ride from Ryan," she said.
"She can pull very hard and that’s been her undoing in a lot of her runs. That’s why she goes better on the back-up.
"She went down in her preliminary relaxed and she was relaxed in the race."
She tracked She’s Poppy in the running, who did well to run second.
Dez, who started the tote favourite, ran into third after being denied racing room until the last 250m.
Shakti was clearly the best of the Otago-Southland contingent.
He ran on strongly for fourth.
The second-favourite, Red Sierra, got back in the running and never emerged, finishing 12th.
