Black Opal Stakes winner Music Time is a strong chance to line up in the Golden Slipper, with connections set to decide on Thursday whether to pay the $150,000 late nomination fee.
Trainer Gratz Vella had originally leaned towards giving the colt a break after his impressive victory in Sunday’s Group 3 Black Opal Stakes at Canberra, a result that provided both Vella and jockey Pierre Boudvillain with a memorable day on their home track.
However, the possibility of contesting the world’s richest race for two-year-olds is now firmly on the table after Music Time recovered strongly from the run.
“Pierre was very happy with the way he pulled up and felt like he could go around tomorrow so I spoke to the owners and gave them the option,” Vella told punters.com.au.
“They said they will leave it up to me so I said by Thursday I should know 100 per cent what he is like and then we will make a decision.
“It’s a big chance with the way he has pulled up at the moment that we might be going ahead with that next step.”
The All Too Hard colt has quickly surged into Golden Slipper contention after recording three impressive wins on his home circuit.
In the Black Opal Stakes, he rolled forward and controlled the race from the front, proving too strong for his rivals and handing Vella his second victory in the race after You’re Canny in 2011.
“He was tremendous and the jockey even said he had plenty left,” Vella said.
“He said when he got to the front he was a bit lost.
“I have been speaking to a few blokes over the past few days and they said, the way he is going, he could nearly match strides with any horse that is going to go in the Slipper.”
With $180,000 already earned in prizemoney, Music Time would comfortably make the 16-horse field for the Golden Slipper if connections elect to proceed.
History shows the task is difficult, with Catbird the only horse to complete the Black Opal Stakes–Golden Slipper double, achieving the feat in 1999.
Punters looking to back runners in the Golden Slipper can compare markets and promotions through the leading Australian betting sites to secure the best available odds.
