Replays Confirm Col 'N' Lil Oaks Prospects
- Thursday, 28 May 2015 07:45
A close study of a video replay of a major lead-up race has boosted trainer Ben Currie's conviction that Col `N' Lil can win the Queensland Oaks.
Currie admitted he was down downcast after Col `N' Lil was well beaten into second place in The Roses behind Bohemian Lily last Saturday.
He was so disappointed that he considered bypassing Saturday's Group One Oaks to let Col `N' Lil run in the weight-for-age Eagle Farm Cup.
However, after studying a replay of The Roses, Currie realised what a good race Col 'N' Lil had run.
"She was wide for most of the way and then she was the one who had to do the chasing after Bohemian Lily who was freewheeling in front," Currie said.
"The winner looked sensational but my filly kept coming like a good horse as well."
The barrier draw has also given Currie renewed hope.
"We are ideally drawn in barrier five while a couple of the better fancies are drawn very wide," he said.
Col 'N' Lil has been on the Oaks trail since winning a restricted race over 1800m at the Toowoomba last year.
"It wasn't until she ran a really good second to Tony Gollan's horse Sheiswhatsheis at Doomben we thought we might have something that was a genuine Oaks chance," Currie said.
"If you look at her form it is the right type to win the Queensland Oaks. She was second in the Gold Coast Bracelet, fourth in the Princess Stakes and then second in The Roses."
"She has the kilometres in her legs and she does one thing - try.
Luke Tarrant has retained the ride on Col 'N' Lil as he prepares to appeal a six-week suspension which starts on Sunday night.
Currie, 25, who is Toowoomba's leading trainer, will also have the smart Cantbuybetter in the Listed Nuturf Queensland Day (1200m) on Saturday.
Cantbuybetter is unbeaten in four starts and Currie believes he is potentially a star.
"The positive thing is that all of his races have been won in good times. We should know just how good he is after taking on Saturday's field," Currie said.
