A forecast of fine weather has convinced trainer Ben Currie Cantbuybetter can back up at the Gold Coast, a week after running at Doomben.
Cantbuybetter gave Currie and connections a stakes win two starts back when he took out the Listed Brisbane Handicap (1600m) at Doomben.
He was a fighting fifth in the Listed Bernborough Handicap (1600m) last Saturday when caught in an early speed battle.
Currie said the race map had been thrown out the window for the Bernborough when Sydney horse Cabeza de Vaca did not go out to an expected big lead and he will run in Saturday’s open handicap over 1800 metres.
“It didn’t turn out the way we expected so it wasn’t a bad run. I have been keen to get him out to a longer distance this campaign and it looks a nice race for him,” Currie said.
“He has had two tries at 1800 metres and been second both times. He finished second to the smart horse Lordag in one of them so I don’t think he will have any trouble with the trip.
“I have been looking at the long-range weather forecast and I think the track will dry out by Saturday. He has won in the soft but he doesn’t want really heavy.”
Cantbuybetter will get three kilograms off his top weight of 62.5kg in the Aquisrace2win Hcp (1800m) with in-form apprentice Boris Thornton’s claim.
“Boris had a ride for me at Doomben on Wednesday. He is a big strong apprentice with plenty of experience,” Currie said.
While Cantbuybetter will run on Saturday, Currie is considering scratching unbeaten filly Bella Occhi from the Three-Year-Old Handicap (1200m).
“She has drawn very wide and it is a handy field. She is in at Toowoomba on Saturday or I can wait a week with her,” he said.
Bella Occhi has had three starts and Currie rates her highly.
The Toowoomba trainer is having another big season and currently leads the Queensland premiership with 71 winners and is set to pass 100 winners for the second season in a row.
