Currie Cantbuybetter Eye Liner Stakes 2017 Hope

Up-and-coming Toowoomba horseman Ben Currie is hopeful if not confident of adding a fifth stakes win to his winter carnival record this weekend saddling-up the in-form Cantbuybetter in the 2017 Eye Liner Stakes field at Ipswich Racecourse.

Cantbuybetter will be tested on a Heavy-rated Ipswich track in the 2017 Eye Liner Stakes on Cup Day this weekend. Photo: Daniel Costello.

Twenty-six-year-old Currie has around 60 horses in work and has enjoyed a stellar Queensland Winter Racing Carnival to date including a May 13 win at Doomben with Cantbuybetter taking out the Listed Members’ Handicap (1600m).

Currie’s other black-type wins this season were with Col ‘N’ Lil who dead-heated with Jumbo Prince in the Listed Weetwood Handicap in Toowoomba, the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup win at Eagle Farm with the same galloper and a Listed Silk Stocking success at the Gold Coast in between with With A Promise.

Casino Prince five-year-old Cantbuybetter races again on Saturday heading to Ipswich for the second time to contest the $175,000 Listed City Of Ipswich Eye Liner Stakes (1350m).

He has been ultra-consistent this time in and is currently rated an $8.50 chance in the latest Eye Liner Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au.

Jockey Josh Oliver takes over for Jeff Lloyd in in the saddle on Saturday, Lloyd partnering the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained colt Acatour who leads the Eye Liner Stakes betting markets at $5 or the win.

Cantbuybetter is drawn barrier seven and has excellent form over the 1300m – 1400m distance range with four wins and a second from seven starts.

“He had a little freshen up after the Member’s Cup and he’s flying on the tracks,” Currie told Racing Queensland this week.

“This is not first-up but he goes very well fresh and he’s good a good record at the trip.”

The Ipswich track is currently rated a Heavy (8) and with Cantbuybetter as yet untested on the going, the wet conditions are Currie’s only real concern heading to Ipswich Cup Day.

“The only doubt with him is the track,” he said.

“He doesn’t like it too wet but there won’t be any excuses.”

All going well on Saturday, Currie plans to back Cantbuybetter up on July 1 at the Sunshine Coast in the $175,000 Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m).

The Eye Liner Stakes field also features the likes of Shiraz ($8.50) who looks well suited to the wet track, Toby Edmonds’ Hinchinbrook four-year-old The Virginian ($6) down in grade off a fourth in the Group 2 Moreton Cup (1200m) at Doomben and the Matthew Dunn-trained Perfect Dare ($8.50) coming off a third in the same lead-up won by Deploy.

Head to Ladbrokes.com.au now for access to all the best Ipswich Cup Day betting markets and offers this weekend.