Ben Currie hits lead in Qld trainers title

Ben Currie missed the Ipswich Cup meeting with a virus but can take comfort from the fact he is now leading the Queensland trainers’ premiership.

Currie had two winners at Toowoomba on Friday and another when With A Promise won the Three-Year-Old Handicap at Ipswich on Saturday.

It took his tally in Queensland to 90-1/2 for the season, half a win in front of his friend Tony Gollan.

Currie’s father Mark said Ben had been in bed for three days last week which was rare for him.

“He is pretty crook but hopefully he will get over it soon,” Currie said.

With A Promise has proved a surprise packet for Currie this season winning the Listed Silk Stocking at the Gold Coast earlier in the winter carnival.

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Currie added winkers to With A Promise’s race day gear after she was well beaten in the Bright Shadow Stakes at her previous start.

The filly is likely to have her next start at the Sunshine Coast in a three-year-old race in a fortnight.

Gollan, who remains Queensland’s most successful overall trainer with 97 Australia-wide winners, is confident he can again pass 100 wins for the season.

“Any year you can pass 100 overall winners is a good year but I am really looking forward to next season with some exciting young horses,” Gollan said.

He won with Lord Coconuts at Ipswich on Saturday and is looking at some Listed 1600m-races for the gelding next month.

“He races best with his runs spaced and I would like to get him down in the weights in open company,” he said.

Gollan leads the Brisbane metropolitan premiership title on 69 wins, 11 ahead of Toby Edmonds.