John O’Shea will chase his second feature race win at Newcastle in as many days when he starts two mares in Thursday’s Group Three Tibbie Stakes.
The Randwick trainer produced Savvy Nature to plunder the Spring Stakes on the opening day of the two-day carnival on Wednesday.
He will saddle up Lucky Lago and Princess Layla in the Tibbie although the pair has been dealt varying fortunes with barriers.
Lucky Lago, a $5.50 chance with TAB fixed odds, has gate five while Princess Layla ($15) has the outside draw in the field of 16 plus two reserves.
The race will be Princess Layla’s last with O’Shea confirming she will be retired to stud after the Tibbie Stakes.
The well-bred Lucky Lago, a daughter of Group One winner Dizelle, will be tackling stakes company for the first time.
She has shown promise in her brief five-start career and her good draw could prove critical.
“There looks a bunch of speed in that race so I’m glad we’ve drawn well,” O’Shea said.
“I’m really happy with her. She’s a progressive mare. I know she’s jumping up a bit in grade there tomorrow but she’s going very well.”
Lilliburlero is early favourite for the Tibbie at $4.
