Trainer Tony McEvoy has confirmed that talented juvenile Risen From Doubt would press on to the 2014 Golden Slipper despite finishing a disappointing fifth in the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Risen From Doubt will be chasing his maiden win at Group 1 level in the Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens on April 5. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Risen From Doubt was rated one of the leading chances in the lead-up to the Todman Stakes, following his third place finish on an unsuitable track in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 1, but he faded in the final stages of the race to finish more than three lengths behind winner Ghibellines.
McEvoy told TVN this morning that the son of Not A Single Doubt had pulled up well following the Todman Stakes and is hopeful that his star juvenile can produce an improved performance in the Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on April 5.
“The horse is perfect and he will run in the Slipper,” McEvoy said.
“He was ridden too close to the speed on Saturday, but he’s pulled up OK.
“He’s a lovely horse; he’s big and strong and very sound.”
Another two-year-old that is a confirmed starter in the Golden Slipper is talented filly Eloping, who has recorded three wins from five starts since making her racing debut at the end of last year.
Eloping won the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) at Caulfield on January 25 in impressive fashion and was far from disgraced when second behind Earthquake in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at the same venue on February 8.
The daughter of Choisir produced the worst performance of her career to date when she finished fourth in the Listed Sports 1000 (1000m) at Flemington on March 1, but returned to her best form with a win over a strong field in the VOBIS Gold Rush (1000m) at Bendigo on March 15.
Trainer Peter Morgan was happy with the performance of Eloping in the VOBIS Gold Rush and confirmed on TVN this morning that the talented filly would be included in the acceptances for the Golden Slipper next week.
“She’s sound, she won well at Bendigo and wasn’t far outside the track record,” Morgan said.
“I might never get another chance.”
Earthquake ($2.20) is currently a clear favourite in 2014 Golden Slipper betting markets, while Eloping ($34) and Risen From Doubt ($61) are both considered outsiders to win the $3.5 million event.
