Lane is baffled at hope’s big odds

Trainer Damien Lane feels the price assessors have got it wrong with Oakfield Mahogany with the gelding’s supporters set to benefit.

Lane thought the five-yearold would have been near the top of betting on his strong recent form in higher grades but the TAB put him up at $10 when markets opened.

“Gee, he is big odds. I thought he would nearly be favourite to be honest,” Lane said. “He is down in grade and up in weight but he gets a good claim from Anna (Roper) from a soft draw. I thought his run at Canterbury the other night was really good. This looks a good race for him.”

The son of Capitalist scored by a length from Super and The Extreme Cat in a Benchmark 68 over 1200m at Wyong on January 6 before heading to Canterbury where he finished a two length fourth behind Botanica in a Benchmark 72 with 57kg on his back.

He drops back to a Benchmark 64 at Gosford and carries 59kg after the 2kg claim of inform apprentice Anna Roper and has drawn to get an ideal run from barrier 4.

“It got a bit tight for room at Canterbury which he doesn’t like and he was going to turn it up but as the gap widened and he got a bit more room, he started to come again and got the line quite well,” he said.

“Coming back to the provincials, I think it looks an ideal race for him.”

Lane also saddles up Safado in the same race and warned not to underestimate him.

The nine-year-old has been just behind the placegetters at his three runs since a third to Par Five over 1000m at Gosford on November 25.

“He’s similar to Oakfield Mahogany. His runs this time in have been good without winning,” Lane said.

“He’s got no weight on his back this week, a nice draw and I think he’s a good each-way hope as well.”