News & Media

21 June 2012 Lily Was Here Rates Highly In Oaks Heat

Ben Abercrombie is super confident Lily Was Here will be a major contender in next week's WA Oaks final at Cannington.

But the Red Fawn Bitch will first have to negotiate Saturday's heat where she has drawn favourably in box four.

Lily Was Here is working her way back into serious form after suffering an untimely injury three starts back when she trailed the field by 16 lengths.

It followed an impressive performance the start prior when she controlled the race from the outset to lead in a slick 30.578sec.

Her past two runs when racing over 490m and 530m respectively signal she is primed to run a forward race.

At Mandurah she ran a solid third to Take A Guess before an encouraging second to Revealed at Cannington in 30.72sec.

"She is good enough to win the series," said Abercrombie.

"Her form since entering my kennel has been terrific and at her first up run she bolted in.

"If I can get her into the final and she can draw well she will be a contender.

"She is a super bitch."

Earlier on the programme Abercrombie will step Hot Irish up to the 642m of the Rock Pool Association Stake.

The speedy sprinter has previously gone 37.63sec over the trip and with more mature legs she is likely to go quicker.

"She has won over the distance before when in Sydney and her times were pretty strong," said Abercrombie.

"She is a 'pinger' and can run quick sectionals over 500m and if she can take that up to 600m you would imagine she will be in front at some stage."