Durrant's filly top shelf
Adam Durrant believes his nominal Belmont Oaks favourite Tick Tick Bloom has the potential to be a top-class stayer in the mould of Lords Ransom.
Tick Tick Bloom, a stunning winner of last Saturday week's Belmont Guineas (1600m), is likely to start a raging favourite in Saturday's $100,000 Belmont Oaks (2000m) after drawing barrier eight.
Durrant is confident the three-year-old, who came from last to beat Midnight Shimmer in the Guineas, will develop into an Ascot summer carnival force.
Tick Tick Bloom's relaxed nature and continued improvement is similar to Lords Ransom, according to the leading trainer.
Lords Ransom won the Perth Cup (2400m), Cox Stakes (2100m), Pinjarra Cup (2400m), Bunbury Cup (2200m) and Belmont Classic (2200m) when prepared by Durrant.
"This is a Lords Ransom-type of horse," Durrant said of Tick Tick Bloom.
"My gut tells me this is a good horse.
"She's a very casual, laid-back type like he was and she's taken a bit of time to learn.
"You don't know how much improvement there is in her."
Durrant rates Tick Tick Bloom superior to Summah's Touch, who he prepared to win the Belmont Guineas, Oaks and Classic last year.
A rousing track gallop by Tick Tick Bloom yesterday lifted Durrant's confidence heading into the Listed feature.
"Her gallop this morning was first-class," Durrant said.
"You can never be too confident, but looking at the way she finished the other day she was finishing better than anything else.
"This has been her target race for a while."
Top jockey William Pike retains the ride on Tick Tick Bloom, who is shooting for her fourth consecutive victory.
Durrant confirmed the in-form Tower Of Lonhro would back up over 1600m after winning at Belmont last Saturday.
He will also start Ora Dare and Saxy Grace on Saturday.
Belmont and Northam winner I'm Feeling Lucky drew awkwardly for the Guineas in barrier 14.
Shaun O'Donnell retains the ride on the Bletchley Park filly, who ran fourth to Trade Down at Belmont last start. Northam trainer Cliff Smith took I'm Feeling Lucky to Belmont for a track gallop yesterday and was impressed with her work.
"I'm happy with her," Smith said.
"I think the 2000 will be to her advantage. She's bred to be a stayer and she can run really fast sectionals."
Patrick Carbery has picked up the ride on Star Of Husson, who drew barrier nine.
·Stewards yesterday determined no rider was at fault for a nasty fall involving Steven Parnham and Clint Harvey in the same race at Pinjarra last month.
Parnham injured his leg and Harvey seriously injured a shoulder.
"This is a Lords Ransom-type of horse. My gut tells me this is a good horse.""Tick Tick Bloom's trainer *Adam Durrant *
