A come-from-behind win by Fireworks in the Widden Stakes may prompt a late call-up to the Golden Slipper.
A few months ago, the major two-year-old races were far from the thoughts of trainer Gerald Ryan and the filly’s owner/breeder John Camilleri.
Fireworks
But her win in the 1100m Listed sprint at Rosehill on Saturday could be the catalyst for a late entry to the $3.5 million Slipper.
The win came on the back of two eye-catching performances for minor prize money at her only other two starts.
“I didn’t get her until September and she is a light filly so we didn’t think about the big races with her,” Ryan said.
“I’ll back off her for a couple of weeks and we will think about it.
“She’s in it now but it is $150,000 to enter.”
Fireworks ($4.20) got back in the field as she has at her previous starts but came home strongly, grinding away at the leaders to eventually beat Lake Geneva ($9.50) by a long head with a neck to Igraine ($5).
Favourite Giulietta ($2.80) led for much of the race but found little in the final stages and finished sixth.
The original plan with Fireworks was to rest her after third behind Holler two weeks ago.
“We discussed it but the Widden was here on her home track so we thought why not run her,” Ryan said.
“Although she is not very big she seems to be holding her weight well in training.”
Camilleri also bred the Gai Waterhouse-trained Vancouver, the winner of Saturday’s other two-year-old race.
Vancouver was immediately promoted to Slipper favouritism after his win.
