James McDonald will not be involved in Saturday’s Silver Slipper Stakes, but the champion jockey will be doing his best to keep a close eye on it.
Star Chris Waller-trained colt Wodeton, who McDonald rode to a dazzling debut win at Rosehill on January 18, continues his march to the Group 1 Golden Slipper in the $300,000 Group 2 at Rosehill.
McDonald’s commitment to Romantic Warrior in the rich Saudi Cup means be cannot be at Rosehill, paving the way for Kerrin McEvoy to partner Wodeton, but McDonald is as excited as anyone to see what transpires in the 1100-metre event.
Wodeton is one of 16 entries with North England and Bel Merci headlining his list of potential rivals.
“Out of the top four in the (Golden Slipper) market, three of them are going to be there, so it will be good,” McDonald said.
“But he (Wodeton) is really well. He’s had a month between runs, had a mid-prep tick-over trial, so he’s nice and spot on.”
McDonald was aboard Wodeton, a son of Wootton Bassett, when he trialled over 790m last Tuesday at Warwick Farm, finishing fourth, beaten a tick over three lengths, despite never being let off the leash.
He is $3.20 favourite for the Golden Slipper ahead of North England and Bel Merci, who share the $11 second line of betting with Apocalyptic.
Bel Merci has not started since her debut win in the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) but won an 800m Kembla Grange trial last Monday by 8-1/4 lengths, while Golden Gift winner North England heads to the Silver Slipper off a 3-1/2-length trial win over Bel Merci.
West Of Swindon, who pushed North England to half-a-length in the Golden Gift, is also entered for the Silver Slipper, alongside Godolphin’s Lonhro Plate runner-up Beiwacht, Blue Diamond Prelude runner-up Devil Night and Gambler, who has sizzled in two trials since being gelded.
The Silver Slipper Stakes is one of the co-features on Saturday’s card, accompanied by the Hobartville Stakes (1400m), in which Broadsiding will make his return against the likes of Public Attention, Linebacker, Aeliana and the in-form Point And Shoot.
McDonald is also the regular rider for Broadsiding, with young gun Zac Lloyd set to have his first ride on the three-time Group 1 winner in the $400,000 Group 2.