Rosehill-based trainer Gerald Ryan knows a good thoroughbred when he sees one and he lines up the promising Mallory in partnership with Sterling Alexiou in this Saturday’s running of the $3.5 million Golden Slipper.
The Not A Single Doubt filly was up and going early finishing second in the Gimcrack Stakes last October before being spelled and brought back for a first-up victory in the Widden Stakes. She was then a fast-finishing third in the Group 2 Sweet Embrace when having to be ridden quietly from the awkward gate.
Ryan has trained many a quality juvenile and he has been impressed with the maturity that his filly has shown from the early stages.
“She’s got great race sense for a filly that hadn’t had a heap of trials,” Ryan said.
“She’d only had one jump out and one trial leading into the Gimcrack and she went through the field like an old horse.
“Then when she won the Widden she’d only had one trial prior and she went up behind them and come around them.
“Whether she’s good enough or not I don’t know but she’s certainly worthy of her spot.”
History suggests that the tempo of the two-year-old feature is usually at a breakneck pace and Ryan is comfortable he has the right horse for the job.
“I’ve always maintained she’d run 1400m,” Ryan said.
“The pace that they go, you almost need a 1400m horse to win the Slipper.”
With rain predicted throughout the week, Ryan is confident she can handle any going.
“She won on the slow (in the Widden) and she gives me the impression she can handle worse,” Ryan said.
“She’s very strong. The rain won’t worry her.”
Mallory has drawn barrier six and will have the services of Jason Collett who has been on board for all three starts to date.
