Injury has cast doubt over Tassortâs Golden Slipper campaign but such is the depth in Godolphinâs two-year-old stocks they are poised to strengthen their grip on the $3.5 million race in spite of the star coltâs absence at Randwick.
Tassort is an easing Slipper favourite after being ruled out of Saturdayâs Todman Stakes with a minor injury.
Trainer James Cummings is hoping he can get the horse ready for the Pago Pago Stakes a week later but admits the setback leaves Tassort as only a âfifty-fiftyâ chance to get into the 2019 Golden Slipper.
Godolphin also has the next two horses in Slipper betting â last weekendâs Skyline Stakes winner Microphone and Magic Millions Classic winner Exhilarates, who along with stablemate Tenley will contest the Reisling Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Exhilarates tuned up for her return with a barrier trial last week and Cummings expects Saturdayâs assignment to top her off for the Slipper.
âWe just eased right off her after the Magic Millions and that high pressure race in January was able to uncover, I think, the best in her,â Cummings said.
âShe has gone ahead again since her trial at Canterbury, which is really pleasing for us and she looks like sheâs got the zest for it this weekend.
âShe should be right to race very, very well and I think with a little bit more improvement again a fortnight later.â
Tenley hasnât had the same billing as some of her stablemates but is unbeaten in two starts and has the potential to emerge as a Golden Slipper wild card.
Cummings has liked what heâs seen from her and is keen to give her a chance against some of the better fillies.
âIf sheâs able to mix it with those good fillies on Saturday then sheâs going to be another horse in the mix for the Slipper as well, because she looks like she might have a little bit of that X-factor thatâs required,â Cummings said.
Exhilarates and Tenley are first and second picks in early Reisling Stakes markets, ahead of the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Anaheed who backs up seven days after winning the Sweet Embrace Stakes.
While Tassort is missing from the Todman, Godolphin will still be represented by Bivouac.
The youngster scored an upset win on a heavy track at Warwick Farm first-up and if he can repeat the performance will press on to the Slipper.
A field of 11 has been declared for the Todman, although several horses are also nominated for the Black Opal Stakes in Canberra a day later.
