Racing: Latta makes Aussie debut with brave filly in Oaks

BRISBANE - Trainer Lisa Latta's first Australian runner is the size of a pony and gallops about as fast as one on the training track.

But throw a saddle on filly Can't Keeper Down on raceday and she transforms into a pocket-sized fighter.

It's those fighting qualities - and the New Zealand form around AJC Oaks winner Daffodil - that Latta is banking on as she tackles the group one A$400,000 ($501,000) Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm tomorrow.

The Manawatu horsewoman crossed the Tasman a fortnight ago but opted out of a lead-up race in the Doomben Roses, won by New Zealand-trained Oaks contender Awesome Planet from fellow Kiwi Ekstreme.

"That was always the plan. She's a very small, slight filly," Latta said. "She travelled over really well. She's looking really bright and she's just thrived in the warm weather."

Latta, currently sixth on the national premiership, admitted the nerves were mounting ahead of her Australian training debut. But she was confident Can't Keeper Down would be competitive.

"She doesn't really know how to go a bad race."

The form makes a compelling case. She ran second to Jungle Rocket in the New Zealand Oaks after hitting the front on the home turn, then was a luckless fifth to Izonit in the Manawatu Classic (2000m) at Awapuni. Daffodil ran fourth in both races.

At her last start she beat the older horses in a rating 90 event at Te Aroha on May 2.

Top Sydney rider Corey Brown will partner Can't Keeper Down after his rival Hugh Bowman turned down the mount in favour of the John O'Shea-trained Jessicabeel, who had to be withdrawn this week.

- AAP