Words by Ray Thomas, The Daily Telegraph
Four Moves Ahead is the only two-year-old protecting an unbeaten record going into the most open $3.5 million Golden Slipper in years at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
There is no dominant juvenile in this year’s race which is reflected by early TAB Fixed Odds betting with Profiteer as favourite at $5 just ahead of Stay Inside ($6) and Artorius ($7).
But the John Sargent-trained Four Moves Ahead, rated a $9 chance and the only filly in Golden Slipper betting under $26, is a likely firmer if she fares well at Tuesday’s barrier draw and with the likelihood of a rain-affected track on Saturday.
Four Moves Ahead has won her two starts on tracks rated a soft 6 and heavy 8 so the forecast of a wet week in Sydney doesn’t concern Sargent.
“We are very happy with the filly, she has improved a lot since winning the Sweet Embrace Stakes,’’ Sargent said.
“She will have a gallop at Randwick (Tuesday) morning and that will top her off for the Slipper. If we happen to get a wet track, then obviously that won’t be a problem for her, either.’’
The Golden Slipper field is starting to take shape with the Australian Turf Club likely to get three late entry fees of $150,000 by the 11am deadline on Monday — Artorius, Rocket Tiger and Tiger Of Malay.
Nash Rawiller on Four Moves Ahead takes out the Sweet Embrace Stakes.
Co-trainers Richard and Michael Freedman have Stay Inside (jockey Tommy Berry) and Glistening (Jean Van Overmeire) safely in the Slipper field and are sweating on a start for Tiger Of Malay.
“It’s looking more likely he will miss out on the Golden Slipper, we will see what unfolds (Monday) but if that is the case then we concentrate on the Sires with Tiger Of Malay,’’ Michael Freedman said.
“As for Stay Inside and Glistening, they are doing everything right in their preparations. It would be nice if we had some luck at the barrier draw.’’
In the latest Golden Slipper order of entry, Tiger Of Malay, comes in at 19 and his chances of gaining a start hinge on whether Godolphin accepts with their quartet, Anamoe, Ingratiating, Paulele and Arcaded, and whether crack Kiwi colt Sword Of State makes the trip over to Sydney.
Sword Of State scored his fourth win from five starts when he won the Group 1 Sistema Stakes at Ellerslie last Saturday and is tentatively booked on a flight to Sydney this week but trainer Jamie Richards is having second thoughts about a Slipper start with the prospect of a rain-affected track at Rosehill.
Godolphin trainer James Cummings is certain to run Anamoe and Ingratiating but hasn’t decided on Slipper starts for Paulele and Arcaded. He has Damien Oliver and Rachel King booked for the Golden Slipper with a final decision on their ride to be made after the barrier draw.
The Freedman family also has Blue Diamond winner Artorius, trained by Anthony and his son Sam, among the leading Slipper contenders. Luke Currie will ride the boom colt who trialled well the Sydney way of going at Randwick last Thursday.
Chris Waller has his biggest-ever Golden Slipper representation with three colts, Home Affairs (James McDonald), Shaquero (Kerrin McEvoy) and O’President (Glen Boss) safely in the field.
“I think all three colts are fairly versatile,’’ Waller said. “They have the ability to settle in their races, they have good heads on their shoulders to help them handle the day and they have had good preparations.
Trainers Peter and Paul Snowden have Black Opal winner Kalashnikov (Mark Zahra) and borderline entry Captivant (Tom Marquand) in the big race.
Captivant was a race morning scratching from the Pago Pago Stakes last Saturday even though the colt is not a certain Slipper runner.
“I’m glad we didn’t run Captivant because it was a very hot day and it would have taken a lot out of him,’’ Peter Snowden said.
“We have given him his best chance to run well in the Golden Slipper by missing that race. We are just hoping he can make the field.’’
Gai Waterhouse, who co-trains with Adrian Bott, is aiming for a record eighth Golden Slipper if Swift Witness (Tim Clark) squeezes into the field.
Original Source: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/superracing/golden-slipper-2021-even-playing-field-reflected-in-betting-markets/news-story/a83e7869cd7c4c8a39be260435459096
