Jockey Josh Oliver’s bond with tough mare Col ‘N’ Lil has earned him a shot at the biggest win of his career at the Gold Coast.
Oliver, who has ridden around 110 winners since coming to Toowoomba from New Zealand about 16 months ago, has been entrusted with the ride on Col ‘N’Lil in Saturday’s Group Two Hollindale Stakes (1800m).
He was apprenticed to Col ‘N’ Lil’s trainer Ben Currie who has stuck by him since he came out of his time four months ago.
Oliver and Col ‘N’ Lil combined to share victory with Jumbo Prince in the Listed Weetwood Handicap at Toowoomba on April 8.
Last time out Col ‘N’ Lil ran second, half a length behind Group One winner Single Gaze in the Tails Quality (1600m) at Doomben.
“I think Josh has ridden Col ‘N’Lil six times for two wins and two seconds. He knows her and she goes well for him so why change,” Currie said.
“Col ‘N’Lil has been great for us as she has got black type and has been to Sydney. She is honest and deserves a shot at better races.”
The mare is likely to press on to the Group-class staying races during the winter carnival.
Oliver will have three other rides for Currie on Saturday including improving mare Kuznetsova in the Prime Minister’s Cup.
“This is a harder race for her but she has been good lately and we are after black type for her,” Oliver said.
