Favourites draw well
THE leading contenders in the Golden Slipper have drawn alongside each other and are edging closer in betting markets on the $3.5 million race.
Written By firmed from $5 to $4.60 after coming up with gate four at yesterday’s barrier draw while Sunlight eased slightly to $4.20.
The two-year-olds raced on Saturday, a week out from the Slipper and won, with Written By successful in the Pago Pago Stakes and Sunlight taking out the Magic Night.
Trainer Grahame Begg changed tack with Blue Diamond Stakes winner Written By when a scheduled barrier trial was washed out.
Sunlight’s trainer, Tony McEvoy, always intended to run the filly because it was a plan that worked ahead of the $2 million Magic Millions Classic.
Both led in their lead-up races but their trainers said that did not have to be the case on Saturday.
“There is speed inside with Sizzling Belle and Ef Troop and from the outside with Estijaab,” Begg said.
“Written By doesn’t have to lead to win.”
McEvoy, who also has Oohood in the race, believes Sunlight’s record says she deserves to be favourite and he is delighted with her barrier.
“Barrier five with Written By and Sizzling Belle drawn in there ... they’ll have speed, we’ll have speed,” he said.
Luke Currie has been the regular rider of the McEvoy fillies with Hong Kong-based Australian Zac Purton to ride Oohood.
Tommy Berry, who won the Slipper on Overreach in 2013 and Vancouver in 2015, will also fly in from Hong Kong to ride Aylmerton.
With rain predicted, Sand- bar was popular with punters, firming from $17 to $11 while Seabrook came into $9. RACING’S great partnership, Hugh Bowman and Winx, is back on deck.
Just before sunrise at Rosehill trackwork yesterday, Bowman rode Winx in a steady gallop, the first time he has been in the saddle for 10 days.
Trainer Chris Waller was a relieved man in having the band back together again.
Bowman has been under a fitness cloud since suffering concussion when thrown from Performer in the Todman Stakes at Randwick on March 10.
The champion jockey gained a medical clearance to resume riding on Monday and climbed aboard Winx yester- day to prepare for the Group 1 $1 million The Agency George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
He and Winx worked in unison as the mare completed her exercise at a steady gallop.
With Winx aiming for a world record 17th Group 1 win on Saturday, moving past the standard set by American champion John Henry back in 1984, it is understood Australian Turf Club officials and the mare’s owners are negotiating to name a race in her honour.
ATC officials would not comment on the issue yesterday but it is believed the Warwick Stakes, run over 1400m at Randwick in August, will be elevated to Group 1 level this year and will be renamed the Winx Warwick Stakes.