Col ‘n’ Lil enhances value at Eagle Farm

Classy mare Col ‘n’ Lil enhanced her value and held off the might of the Godolphin juggernaut when she won the Group Three Lord Mayor’s Cup at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Col ‘n’ Lil is scheduled to go under the hammer at the Magic Millions broodmare sale at the Gold Coast on Tuesday but trainer Ben Currie is hoping owner Dr Kim McCasker may have a last-minute rethink.

“If Kim decides not to sell her I’m sure she’d be a perfect horse to aim at the Ipswich Cup,” Currie said.

Jockey Jeff Lloyd followed a plan to the letter when he settled Col ‘n’ Lil close to the speed before taking the lead on the home turn.

“We wanted her to have momentum coming out of the corner and we were confident she’d run the mile out really strongly,” Currie said.

“She was always travelling well and it’s good when a plan comes off.”

Col ‘n’ Lil ($7) was challenged strongly by Duca Valentinois ($6.50) in the straight but held him off to win by a long neck.

“I thought she was in trouble at the furlong and the runner-up did have a nice run in behind but when she gets in a dogfight like that she’s always tough,” Currie said.

“She showed it in the Weetwood and she’s shown it so many times before that when they get to her she just keeps fighting.”

Currie, whose team of runners have been in dynamic form in recent weeks, said Col ‘n’ Lil will have her next start in the Wayne Wilson Memorial (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 10.