Racing New South Wales stewards gave the Chris Waller trained Performer the all clear to take his place in the Group 1 $3.5m Longines Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on March 24 following an incident free barrier trial at Randwick today.
Performer, above, has been cleared to run in the 2018 Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.
Performer was ordered to barrier trial before he could race again after he ducked out badly at the 150m mark in the Group 2 $300,000 UNSW Todman Stakes (1200m) at Randwick last Saturday.
The Exceed And Excel colt’s wayward manners left jockey Hugh Bowman dumped on the turf and then transported to hospital for assessment of his injuries.
Fortunately Bowman was only diagnosed with concussion but has been ruled out of riding this weekend and hoping he will be fit to ride champion mare Winx in the Group 1 $1m China Horse Club George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday week.
Waller took Performer to Randwick this morning and the colt did everything right with the blinkers on in winning his 737m barrier trial with Kerrin McEvoy in control.
The stewards were satisfied with his manners and lifted his ban which means he will be able to take his place in the Golden Slipper Stakes.
“PERFORMER (wearing blinkers) and UNFORGOTTEN barrier trialled to satisfaction of Racing NSW Stewards this morning at Randwick trials and have been passed to start again in races,” Racing New South Wales tweeted.
The Waller trained Forgotten was also required to satisfactorily barrier trial before stewards after putting in an uncharacteristic performance when last of eleven in the Group 1 $500,000 James Boag’s Premium Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on March 3.
The Fastnet Rock filly wasn’t knocked around when fifth in her barrier trial at Randwick today and has the all clear to take her place in Saturday’s Group 2 $200,000 Chandon S Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill.
Prior to Performer’s wayward display at Randwick, the Fastnet Rock colt was undefeated from two starts in the Listed $150,000 Arrowfield Breeders’ Plate (1000m) at Randwick on September last year and in the Group 3 $150,000 Toyota Material Handling Canonbury Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on February 3 and is now equal $7 second favourite for the Golden Slipper Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au with Estijaab and Written By.
The Tony McEvoy trained Sunlight is the ruling $4 favourite for the Golden Slipper Stakes.
Early betting for the 2018 Golden Slipper Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4 Sunlight, $7 Estijaab, Performer, Written By, $8.50 Santos, $11 Ef Troop, $13 Seabrook, $15 Aylmerton, $17 Fiesta, $26 Enbihaar, Gongs, Oohood, $34 Bondi, Encryption, Pure Elation, Spin, $41 or better the rest.
