Coffs Harbour colt One Lickety Split didn't quite manage to reel in Falvelina at Doomben on Saturday but did prove he's a horse with untapped ability.At his first run for nine months, One Lickety Split turned in an eye-catching performance to run Falvelina to a short head in the Aspley Leagues Club Handicap (1110m).One Lickety Split was spotting his rivals a huge start at the halfway mark before jockey Shane Scriven weaved a passage through in the straight and the hulking colt would have won in

Coffs Harbour colt One Lickety Split didn't quite manage to reel in Falvelina at Doomben on Saturday but did prove he's a horse with untapped ability.

At his first run for nine months, One Lickety Split turned in an eye-catching performance to run Falvelina to a short head in the Aspley Leagues Club Handicap (1110m).

One Lickety Split was spotting his rivals a huge start at the halfway mark before jockey Shane Scriven weaved a passage through in the straight and the hulking colt would have won in one more bound.

Falvelina ($7.50) enjoyed a soft run in front to lead throughout and just lasted to beat One Lickety Split ($6.50) with Mondean ($7.50) a head back third.

Unica Bahaya ($3 fav) met with solid support at her first run since April but rider Jason Taylor had her under pressure before the corner and she only battled in the straight to finish fifth.

One Lickety Split was spotting Falvelina at least six lengths passing the 600m mark and his final sectional time was well under the official 33.80 seconds clocked by the winner.

Trainer Gordon Yorke praised Scriven's ride but said One Lickety Split's unlucky second had left him with mixed emotions.

"He's a very good racehorse - had he won I would have rated him an exceptional racehorse," Yorke said.

"But he learnt something today.

"What Shane taught him in making him settle will be an enormous bonus later on.

"That was an 11 out of 10 ride.

"Shane said he was reluctant to take the runs in the straight but he pushed him through and the horse will benefit from that."

Yorke was unsure what path he would now follow with One Lickety Split but did say the defeat probably cost the colt a trip to Melbourne.

"Had he won a trip to Melbourne was a very definite option," Yorke said.

"He's a very good colt and he's still learning.

"I will have a think about what to do but the main thing is he's back to his best."