Clarry Conners doesn’t have a runner in the Todman Stakes but he will be paying as much attention to that Golden Slipper lead-up as he does to the Reisling Stakes.
Conners, a four-time Golden Slipper-winning trainer, has unbeaten filly Satin Shoes in the Group Two Reisling Stakes (1200m) for her final Slipper lead-up, while in the Todman Stakes (1200m) the raging Slipper favourite Sepoy makes his Sydney debut.
“I’ll be looking at that race (Todman) closely, I can promise you that,” Conners said.
“I’ll be seeing how they are and seeing how they race.”
The Todman has just five runners but the field includes unbeaten colts Sepoy, Foxwedge and also Smart Missile who hasn’t raced since his debut win in the Canonbury Stakes at the start of October.
Conners believes Sepoy and Foxwedge are the biggest dangers to Satin Shoes in the $3.5 million Golden Slipper on April 2.
“The top two (Sepoy and Foxwedge), they look the main opposition,” he said.
“It’s going to be an interesting race on Saturday.”
Sepoy has won all four of his starts in dominant fashion including his 4-1/4-length last-start Group One Blue Diamond Stakes win and is the clear $2 Golden Slipper favourite ahead of Satin Shoes ($7.50) and Foxwedge ($9).
Conners rates Satin Shoes as good as any of his four Golden Slipper winners – Tierce, Burst, Prowl and Belle Du Jour – and can’t fault the filly ahead of the Reisling.
“She’s great,” he said.
“She worked very well between races at Warwick Farm last Saturday, Hugh Bowman was happy and I was happy.
“On Wednesday morning Hugh came out and galloped her again and I was just as happy then.”
Satin Shoes won on debut at Randwick in October over 1000m before being put away for the autumn.
The daughter of Flying Spur returned with victory in the Widden Stakes (1100m) and kept her unbeaten run going in the Group Two Silver Slipper (1100m) at Rosehill on February 26.
Satin Shoes has five rivals in the Reisling and is the $1.60 favourite.
“I couldn’t be happier with my horse, everything I have asked her to do she has done it well and I know there is still some improvement to come,” Conners said.
AAP TURF
