The majority of favoured runners have drawn well for the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Impressive last start Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m) winner Tempted has firmed into $5.00 second elect after drawing barrier one behind the Chris Waller trained Wodeton at $4.50 who will jump from barrier two.
Waller’s assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said they can’t complain, but do have a plan to ride Wodeton more conservatively after being run down by Tentyris in the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) last start.
“We will be riding him conservatively, but you certainly can’t whinge with a good gate,” Duckworth said.
“It just means you have to do no work and just bounce out and be neutral on him and let him enjoy it.”
Last week’s dominant Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) winner Skyhook will back up on Saturday, with co-trainer Sterling Alexiou confirming the Written Tycoon colt will take his place from barrier eight.
“He’s come through the race particularly well,” Alexiou said.”Nice and bright, ate up, had a good drink of water Saturday night, which has helped. Really happy with how the week’s started out.”
“Middle of the row there, just at first glance, quite a bit of speed drawn out wide. But he’s got good gate speed. He’ll begin sort of slide across with that speed and hopefully he can land a nice spot somewhere.”
Skyhook drifted slightly from $7.00 to $8.00 following the barrier draw but remains third favourite in the full field of sixteen. The Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou stable will also have Black Opal Stakes winner King Of Pop who has drawn the widest barrier.
The only other horse in single figures is Kris Lees’ unbeaten colt Rivellino who has firmed into $9.00 in Golden Slipper odds after drawing barrier three, while Marhoona for Michael Freedman has firmed from $26 into $15 after drawing barrier six.
