A rider has been confirmed for last Saturday’s Group 2 Reisling Stakes winner Chayan ahead of the upcoming Golden Slipper.
The Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained daughter of I Am Invincible will be partnered by veteran jockey Craig Williams, an 82-time Group 1 winner who claimed the Golden Slipper two decades ago aboard the late Miss Finland.
Archibald revealed the stable secured Williams’ services on Tuesday after Reisling Stakes-winning jockey James McDonald opted not to continue riding the filly.
“We don’t feel we lose anything with Craig as he’s been flying during the carnival,” Archibald told the Herald Sun.
“He’s proven himself time and time again in the biggest races across Australia and other parts of the world.”
Chayan thrust herself into Golden Slipper contention with a commanding victory in the Reisling Stakes, with bookmakers quickly trimming her quote into $6 second favourite with TAB.
The Archibald stable will be hoping Chayan can deliver better fortune in the $5 million Golden Slipper after a heartbreaking experience in the race two years ago.
In 2023 they won the same lead-up race with Learning To Fly, who started the Golden Slipper as second favourite but had her chances dashed after being badly checked mid-race and losing her rider.
Punters looking to back runners in the Golden Slipper can compare odds and markets across the leading Australian betting sites to secure the best available prices.
