The ruling Golden Slipper favourite She Will Reign has been backed to win the Silver Slipper
Punters are as confident as her trainer She Will Reign can run a strong 1100 metres in the Silver Slipper at Rosehill.
The ruling Golden Slipper favourite steps out beyond 1000 metres for the first time in Saturday’s Group Two race which shapes as a defining test.
The Gary Portelli-trained filly has firmed from $2.25 to $1.80 in the TAB’s all-in market for the Silver Slipper.
Only her prize money from her maiden win at Kembla Grange counts towards the 2017 Golden Slipper (1200m) on March 18 although she has another $291,000 from a sales-restricted race.
Portelli has earmarked the Silver Slipper and Reisling Stakes (1200m) as her lead-ups to the Golden Slipper, not only to earn the necessary prize money but to prove she can run the distance.
She Will Reign was given a searching gallop with veteran stablemate Straturbo on Tuesday morning.
Breeders’ Plate winner Khan is the $4.50 second favourite for the Silver Slipper.
She Will Reign displaced Houtzen as the Golden Slipper favourite when she won a recent barrier trial by nine lengths with race jockey Ben Melham barely pushing her out.
Her trainer had some ideas about harnessing her speed believing she needed to be more versatile, but for now he will just let her run as she pleases.
“She’s not the best walker. In fact she walks like a duck,” Portelli said.
“But she has the best attitude and when she gets out and gallops she just does it so effortlessly.
“She’s got to run 1100 and 1200 metres yet but I think she will.”
The Toby Edmonds-trained Houtzen, the Magic Millions winner, is likely to have her Golden Slipper lead-up at home in Queensland.
Like She Will Reign, the bulk of her earnings don’t count towards a Slipper start but she has more leeway with $80,000 eligible prize money.
