Lasqueti Spirit tracking comfortably towards Australian Oaks
THE Lee Curtis-trained Lasqueti Spirit caused a massive $101 upset in the Crown Oaks at Flemington in the spring, but punters are now aware of the talent it possesses.
The three-year-old filly is an $8 chance with bookmakers ahead of Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Oaks at Randwick, which is tipped to be one of the highlights of the 2017 Championships.
The daughter of Beneteau hasn’t been able to win since its famous win last November, but racing against its own sex will come as a big relief having taken on Australia’s best thoroughbreds this autumn.
Lasqueti Spirit has run into Winx on two occasions in its last four starts, which included a placing in the Chipping Norton Stakes which will hold it in good stead ahead of the Oaks.
“She ran second to Winx on a heavy 10 at Randwick, so that’s good enough,” Curtis said.
After working early last time out in The BMW, Lasqueti Spirit was unable to find its best in the straight. Curtis was hoping for a better effort, but he’s upbeat about its chances in the Oaks this Saturday.
“I think it was OK, it was satisfactory,” Curtis said. “We would have preferred a better run, but it wasn’t that bad.”
Lasqueti Spirit will likely head forward and set the pace. That should be achieveable from barrier two with Jay Ford in the saddle and the switch back to Randwick will also help.
“I think she’ll go better at Randwick,” Curtis added.
“She’s good and she handles the wet.”
The Australian Oaks runs at 2.35pm on Saturday and Lasqueti Spirit is currently a value runner at $8 with bookmakers.