FOLLOWING the disappointing run by Nothingbutthebest in the 1,000 Guineas on April 4, trainer Lorne Kirlew believes his chestnut filly can overturn the form book and handicaps to score in the 76th running of the $3m Jamaica Oaks, going over 2,000 metres tomorrow. Sponsors are Caymanastogo powered by B3 development Group and McKay Security Limited.

The highly rated filly, who was sent off at a 9/2 betting option, was outpaced and finished 16 _ lengths in eighth position behind Puddy Pooh, Mom’s Student and Berranca, in the one-mile event on a very wet racing surface.

According to Kirlew, the muddy conditions accounted for his charge’s disappointing form.

“I was surprised with the way how she ran in the 1,000 Guineas as something obviously went wrong. She didn’t enjoy the mud. The jockey (Shane Ellis) said that she was running away from the mud, hence she ran below par,” Kirlew told the Complete Racing Guide.

“She came out of the race with some cold in her eyes, which was caused by the wet conditions. The Guineas run can be bypassed. She will run a better race come tomorrow,” he predicted.

Kirlew strongly believes that the extra two furlongs of the Oaks, when compared with the Guineas, will not be a problem for Nothingbutthebest.

“She has been training really well, in fact it cannot be any better. Nothingbutthebest has been training over the journey and she is doing well and so I think that the 10 furlongs will not bother her at all,” he explained.

Kirlew said the three-time defending champion Dane Nelson will replace Shane Ellis in the saddle, and this will improve his filly’s chances of winning the Oaks.

“Nelson is an excellent rider. He understands pace well and is able to execute with precision come race day. I believe he is one of the top three jockeys right now at the Park. He tends to get the best out of horses, even when it seems that they don’t have any chance,” he said.