The experience of two wins on a wet track might be enough give Mossfun an edge over Golden Slipper favourite Earthquake when the two unbeaten fillies meet at Rosehill.
Blue Diamond Stakes winner Earthquake leads Mossfun decisively in betting for the $3.5 million Slipper on April 5 but the gap could close with the prospect of rain in Sydney leading up to Saturday’s Reisling Stakes.
There were 14 entries for the Group Two Reisling (1200m) taken on Monday with 13 nominations for the colts and geldings division, the Todman Stakes.
Magic Millions winner Unencumbered was unplaced for the first time in his seven start career when fifth in the Silver Slipper won by Mossfun on a slow track.
A wet track would almost certainly rule Black Opal Stakes winner Lucky Raquie out of the Reisling with trainer Gerald Ryan prepared to wait another week for the Magic Night Stakes.
“I’m not sure if she is a Golden Slipper horse but if it’s wet she won’t run in the Reisling,” Ryan said.
“We are leaning more towards the Sires’ Produce Stakes with her.”
The winners of Saturday’s two races are guaranteed starts in the Slipper and a good showing by Alpha Miss would be enough to entice her owners to pay the $150,000 late entry fee.
A $6000 weanling who has won more than $200,000, the Gary Nickson-trained Alpha Miss beat Earthquake’s Darley stablemate Memorial on slow ground to win the Lonhro Plate at Warwick Farm.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained Twirl, second to the Ryan-trained Believe Yourself in Saturday’s Sweet Embrace Stakes, is among the Reisling entries as is Magic Millions runner-up Oakleigh Girl who also has the option of a barrier trial on Friday.
