Ofcourseican is set to take on the boys in Saturday’s Group Three Liverpool City Cup at Warwick Farm in a bid to boost her value as a broodmare.
Trainer Ron Quinton said he was considering running the mare in a Listed race against her own sex next weekend, but following a discussion with the five-year-old’s owner it was decided to aim for a Group race success.
Ofcourseican caught the eye when she flashed home to finish a close third behind Dystopia and Alberton Park in the Listed Triscay Stakes (1200m) first-up two weeks ago.
“Naturally this is a step up in grade for her,” Quinton said.
“Originally I planned to maybe wait another week and go for the Wenona Girl Handicap which she won last year, but (owner) David Bentata is a breeder and he was keen to give her a go at this race being a Group Three.
“We’re going to take a chance in this race. She’s a valuable mare being a winner of six races including a Listed race and she has been placed at Group level.
“We’ll be trying to improve her value and she’s a very honest horse.”
Doncaster Mile hopeful Somepin Anypin heads the market for the Liverpool City Cup, with the race holding a Doncaster ballot exemption for the winner.
The Joe Pride-trained Neeson is also a Liverpool City Cup runner and will be out to enhance an impressive second-up record of three wins and two placings from five attempts.
Hugh Bowman rode Ofcourseican in the Triscay but Kathy O’Hara takes over on Saturday.
After the Triscay, Bowman said Ofcourseican did an amazing job to get as close as she did, and Quinton agreed.
“Her racing pattern tends to play against her because she races back and needs luck,” the trainer said.
“I’ll be having a good talk to Kathy as she’s never ridden this mare before.
“I’ll explain all her little habits and she just might be able to lie up a little bit closer in the run on Saturday from a good draw in barrier three.”
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