A track gallop by two-year-old Napayshini at Gosford on Sunday crept under most radars with Group One winner Hay List’s workout between races capturing all the attention.
That was fine with Napayshini’s trainer Grant Allard who gave the colt a day out ahead of Saturday’s Canonbury Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill.
Napayshini’s eye-catching debut second to All The Talk at Warwick Farm on December 1 brought offers from Asia and a change of plans for the colt.
Originally to be set for the restricted Inglis Nursery and Classic races, Napayshini’s preparation was altered to provide the best path towards the $3.5 million Golden Slipper.
“I took him out for a gallop on raceday just to get him used to the atmosphere again,” the Gosford-based Allard said.
“He galloped on his own with my apprentice Jake Hull aboard and did a bit of work but there’s plenty of improvement in him.”
A $57,500 yearling, Napayshini is by Ready’s Image out of an unraced Danehill Dancer mare Daloot and is owned by June Baker of Rapture Farm in the Hunter Valley who has knocked back substantial offers for the colt.
Napayshini was not among the original entries for the Golden Slipper on April 6 and will have to earn his way to the race with a $150,000 late entry fee needed.
“We were all set to run him in the Inglis races but then we decided to go on a different path,” Allard said.
“He will run in the traditional races towards the Slipper. He has to earn his way there and earn the right to be there.”
Allard has been training since 2008 having learned his trade under John Hawkes and Peter Snowden at Crown Lodge before Sheikh Mohammed bought Bob Ingham’s racing operation.
“I looked after Lonhro and Viscount when I was there,” Allard said.
“I was also working there when Forensics won the Slipper so I have a good idea of what it takes to get a horse there.”
There were 12 colts and geldings nominated for the Canonbury on Monday while the fillies division, the Widden Stakes, attracted 18 entries.
