Trainer Mick Price has delayed a decision to send Jabali to the paddock and will meet with his owners on Friday to discuss a possible start in the Group 1 $3.5m Tooheys New Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on April 5.
Jabali finished a lackluster seventh to Ghibellines, above. in the Todman Stakes. Photo by Steve Hart.
Connections have had a change of heart after yesterday all but ruling out a start at Rosehill in a fortnight after Jabali finished a lacklustre seventh to Ghibellines in the Group 2 $300,000 The Other Woman Todman Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill last Saturday.
David O’Callaghan, bloodstock advisor for part owners Eliza Park International, said they didn’t want to make a rushed decision and would like to give Jabali every chance to gain a run in the Golden Slipper.
“We just don’t want to make a rushed decision,” O’Callaghan told AAP.
“It is a Golden Slipper after all so we thought we’d give him a week to see how he pulls up before deciding.”
Price had thought that Jabili had had enough after Saturday on the back of a tough Blue Diamond Stakes campaign that saw him finish second to Earthquake in the Group 1 $1m Sportingbet Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 22.
Jabali is guaranteed a start in the Golden Slipper and is currently number eight in the order of entry courtesy of his $180,000 runner’s up cheque he collected in the Blue Diamond Stakes.
“Jabali raced like a horse that has had enough and is more than likely to go to the paddock,” Price said after Saturday’s race.
If Jabali runs or not Price will still have a starter in the Golden Slipper with Cornrow set to go around with Damien Oliver to ride, replacing Jim Cassidy who will be on the sidelines because of a careless riding suspension.
Price was happy with the effort of Cornrow who he said should have finished closer when third in the Todman Stakes after being held up for a run in the straight.
“Jim Cassidy got off Cornrow and said he should have been fighting out the finish,” Price said.
“He should have finished a bit closer.”
The Peter Snowden trained Earthquake heads the Ladbrokes.com.au Golden Slipper market order at $2.20 ahead of the Team Hawkes trained Mossfun at $6.50 and Magic Millions 2yo Classic winner Unencumbered at $15.
Earthquake’s stablemate Ghibellines is next in the betting at $15 just ahead of Cornrow at $16 and Queensland filly Oakleigh Girl at $17.
