Australia’s best jockeys are jostling for rides in the Golden Slipper, with most booked for rides.
As always, ahead of today’s barrier draw, connections are looking to finalise jockeys before the draw.
With the emergence from left field of three Bart Cummings runners, three of Melbourne’s best jockeys have picked up rides.
Saturday’s Pago Pago Stakes winner Salade will be ridden by Luke Nolen, Michael Rodd will ride Empress Rock while Do You Think will be ridden by So You Think’s rider Steven Arnold.
Despite wanting to ride Salade, Corey Brown will stick with Hot Snitzel while stablemate Saramenha will be ridden by Nathan Berry.
Berry’s twin brother Tommy will have the prized ride on Magic Millions winner Karuta Queen, while Magic Millions third placegetter Fast and Sexy will be ridden by Glyn Schofield.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained Shared Reflections will be ridden by Damien Oliver, leaving Nash Rawiller to ride Foxwedge.
The owner of Foxwedge, Dr Edmund Bateman, also has Satin Shoes, to be ridden by Hugh Bowman.
Satin Shoes’ rival Elite Falls will be ridden by Jim Cassidy.
Melbourne filly Mosheen will be ridden by Danny Nikolic, while Melbourne colts Masthead and Running Tall will be ridden by Craig Williams and Ben Melham respectively.
Favourite Sepoy will be ridden by Darley’s head jockey Kerrin McEvoy, while it is believed Josh Parr will keep the ride on Magic Night Stakes winner Altar.
Sepoy’s conqueror in the Todman Stakes, Smart Missile, will be ridden by Glen Boss.
The field will be finalised in just over an hour, with the barrier draw to be conducted at midday at Sydney’s Martin Place.
Written by Andrew Hawkins