Ryan, Alexiou thrilled with Golden Slipper hand

Four stables will be represented by multiple runners in the $5 million Golden Slipper and co-trainer Sterling Alexiou is delighted his will be one of them.

Alexiou and business partner Gerald Ryan saddle up Black Opal Stakes winner King Of Pop and last weekend’s brilliant Pago Pago Stakes victor Skyhook as they bid to win the world’s richest juvenile race for the first time.

Hawkes Racing (Devil Night, West Of Swindon and emergency Nepotism), Tulloch Lodge (North England, Farcited, Bellzaine) and Godolphin (Beiwacht and Tempted) also have more than one runner, although the latter two have much larger horse numbers on their books.

For a smaller stable such as Ryan and Alexiou’s to be dually represented is no small achievement.

“We earmarked these two pretty early on as Slipper candidates and for them to get this far and line up in the race, it’s very pleasing for all the staff at home, and for Gerald and myself,” Alexiou said.

“We’ve had quite a few runners over the years. You could probably say they were making up the numbers, but I think we’ve got two live chances this year.

“In what looks a pretty even year, I’m really happy to have both our horses in.”

Skyhook, who has drawn barrier eight, is backing up from his dominant victory on Saturday, striving to become the fifth horse since 1984 to capture the Pago Pago Stakes-Golden Slipper, Shinzo two years ago being the most recent.

Alexiou reports the youngster has recovered well and says his versatility will carry him a long way.

“Of our four runners (at Rosehill last weekend), he probably came through it the best which is a good sign leading into Saturday,”‘ he said.

“Off a pretty sedate tempo he gave a really good kick and that’s one thing he does possess is a really good turn of foot. He can settle anywhere in the field. He is very adaptable and he seems to be a very smart animal.”

Confidence in King Of Pop’s chances have been dampened by his outside draw in 18 but if jockey Zac Lloyd can negate the barrier, Alexiou is adamant the colt is good enough to feature.

“He has always put his hand up from day dot. The first time we let him down over a furlong he showed a great deal of ability,” he said.

“He has got a great constitution and a great attitude to go with it and that takes them a long way as two-year-olds.

“Obviously the barrier makes it hard but it’s all up to Zac now. Hopefully he can wield a bit of Zac magic.”

Lloyd is shooting for his first Golden Slipper win while Skyhook’s jockey Kerrin McEvoy is chasing his second after taking out the 2011 renewal aboard Sepoy.