Inglis Millennium winner Xtravagant Star will undergo the sternest test yet of her Golden Slipper credentials when she takes on benchmark juvenile Coolangatta at Randwick.
The two undefeated fillies are set for a mouth-watering clash in Saturday’s Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m), which has also attracted the highly-rated Lady Laguna and Fireburn.
Adding further fuel to the showdown is the likelihood of a wet track with Randwick rated in the heavy range on Wednesday following a deluge of rain.
Coolangatta won the B J McLachlan Stakes on a soft 6 but it was arguably the most unimpressive of her three wins, while Victorian-trained Xtravagant Star is untested on conditions worse than a soft 5.
Track rating aside, Tony Mcevoy, who prepares Xtravagant Star in partnership with his son Calvin, is thrilled with how well she has done since claiming the Inglis Millennium at just her second start.
“We took her there a little unsure, but she really put them to the sword,” Tony McEvoy said.
“She has loved her time at Randwick and has thrived up there.
“Calvin was up there (on Tuesday) morning and Chad Schofield gave her a gallop on the Kensington track on the grass and she worked superbly, really sharp and she’s ready for another big contest.”
Because the Inglis Millennium was a restricted race, Xtravagant Star still needs to tick a few boxes to earn her way into the $5 million Golden Slipper.
“She needs to qualify still, and she’ll have to run one-two probably in the Sweet Embrace on Saturday and then (go) into the Slipper, all being well,” McEvoy said.
Coolangatta will need another impressive performance to hold onto her place at the top of 2022 Golden Slipper odds in which she remains a $4 favourite, with Xtravagant Star also prominent at $15.
