Guy Walter could be entering new territory after Saturday’s final qualifiers for the Golden Slipper with two chances trying to force their way into the rich two-year-old race.
Streama runs in the Magic Night Stakes and Exceed And Exalt contests the Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill, the last two races guaranteeing the winners a start in the $3.5 million Golden Slipper the following week.
Although well known for his Group One feats with Tie The Knot, Spinning Hill, Defier and Republic Lass, Walter has never had a Slipper runner.
His biggest success with a two-year-old came when Excites won the 2006 Group One AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes.
Exceed And Exalt earned the right to vie for a Slipper berth with victory on debut at Canterbury earlier this month while Streama has run second in both her starts including the Sweet Embrace Stakes won by Shared Reflections.
“It’s a quantum class leap for Exceed And Exalt but I thought it was an outstanding performance to win at his first start in a race,” Walter said.
“He is a ready-made two-year-old as his breeding suggests.
“He is inexperienced but then a lot of the others are too.
“Streama will be given her chance. Whether she is up to the Slipper we don’t really know but we’ll find out on Saturday.
“It would be exciting to have a runner in what is one of the biggest races in the country.”
In the latest Golden Slipper order of entry released on Monday, Streama is 26th with Exceed And Exalt 36th.
The 16-horse field plus emergencies for the Golden Slipper will be declared on Tuesday week.
Streama will be ridden by Hugh Bowman while Nathan Berry retains the ride on Exceed And Exalt.
There were 17 entries taken on Monday for the Magic Night Stakes including Saramenha and her Gerald Ryan-trained stablemate Potluck who is from the first crop by Excites.
Saramenha won two races late last year to put herself in the Slipper picture but finished seventh in the Sweet Embrace while Potluck has not yet raced.
The 10 entries for the Pago Pago Stakes include Hot Snitzel and Rock Monster from the Ryan stable and Black Opal Stakes winner You’re Canny who is being aimed at the Sires’ Produce.
A $150,000 late entry fee will need to be paid if You’re Canny or Skyline Stakes winner Uate are to take their places.
Blue Diamond winner Sepoy remains the $2.90 TAB Sportsbet favourite for the Slipper ahead of his Todman Stakes conqueror Smart Missile ($5.50) Foxwedge ($8) Elite Falls ($9) and Satin Shoes ($10).
AAP TURF
