Candika ready for Oaks trial

Candika will get every chance to prove she is a potential stayer in the Group Three Doomben Roses.

She meets a strong field of fillies in Saturday’s Group Two Roses (2000m) but trainer Steve O’Dea is confident she has the form to be more than competitive.

O’Dea is keen to run Candika in the Group One Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 3.

At her most recent start Candika indicated she would stay when third behind Roses favourite Dawn Wall in the Gold Coast Bracelet two weeks ago,

“She had a wide barrier and Damian Browne had to take her to the lead. It isn’t the way to ride her but he had no choice,” O’Dea said.

“The fact she fought on to be third was encouraging. This week she is drawn in the middle of the field which should be ideal as she can get cover.”

“She hasn’t wanted to over-race her past couple of starts which is also encouraging. But Saturday will tell and this is her final test.”

O’Dea said if Candika showed she didn’t stay he would freshen her up for the Group two Queensland Guineas (1600m) on June10.

Candika’s stablemate Sir Moments, who is also raced by the Proven Thoroughbreds syndicate, runs in the Group Three BRC Sprint (1350m).

“He has done well since his last start failure. He does have a bad barrier but by race eight on a wet day it might not matter,” O’Dea said.