Trainer Gerald Ryan will be closer to finalising his Golden Slipper runners at Randwick on Saturday but reiterated that he won’t run his youngsters in the Group 1 $3.5m Tooheys New Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on April 5 if they didn’t have a genuine chance.
Time For War, white colours, is one of three Gerald Ryan trained 2yos racing at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Ryan has openly said that the Blue Diamond Stakes winner Earthquake is the horse to beat in the richest two year old race in the world as he prepares his Golden Slipper contenders Believe Yourself, Tetsuko and Time For War for their engagements on Saturday.
“From what I saw of her down in Melbourne we’ll be running for second prizemoney,’’ Ryan told The Daily Telegraph.
“But we won’t be sending horses into the race to make up the numbers. We’ll only be running if we think they’ve got a chance.’’
Ryan saw Earthqauke win the Group 1 $1m Sportingbet Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 22 as he watched his colt Rubick fade into fourth spot and knows firsthand how good the Peter Snowden trained filly is.
On Saturday Ryan will saddle up Believe Yourself and Tetsuko in the Group 2 $175,000 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) as well as Time For War in the Group 2 $175,000 Skyline Stakes (1200m).
Sebring filly Believe Yourself scored at her only race start over 1000m at Kembla Grange in December and has since won a Rosehill barrier trial while Tetsuko is also stepping up in class after winning over 1100m on the Kensington track on February 26.
And Snitzel colt Time For War is resuming following a short break after winning at big odds over 1100m at Rosehill on November 2.
Ryan also saddled up Lucky Raquie to win of the Listed $275,000 Seppelt Black Opal Stakes (1200m) at Canberra on Sunday with the Rosehill trainer saying he would think about a Golden Slipper start for the Encosta De Lago filly.
The winners of both the Sweet Embrace Stakes for the fillies and the Skyline Stakes for the colts and geldings are exempt from the ballot for the Golden Slipper.
The latest Golden Slipper market order from Ladbrokes.com.au sees Blue Diamond winner Earthquake the clear cut $2.90 favourite ahead of last start Silver Slipper Stakes winner Mossfun at $7.50 with Magic Millions 2yo Classic winner Unencumbered at $11 while Ryan’s four Golden Slipper hopefuls are at long odds.
