Gollan lays down Law: Filly must finish top two

MAGIC Millions winner Skirt The Law is the second favourite for the Golden Slipper next month, but trainer Tony Gollan says if she isn’t competitive in her return to racing on Saturday, she doesn’t deserve to be there.

The straight-shooting Gollan said he needs to see his glamour filly in the first two in the Group 2 Sweet Embrace (1200m) at Randwick to justify hanging around in Sydney.

With her Magic Millions bounty not eligible for the Golden Slipper order of entry, Skirt The Law currently sits 21st and outside of the field, despite being a $7 second favourite behind Learning To Fly ($4).

Gollan has been dealt the visitors’ draw (nine) on Saturday,

but said it is nothing the $2.60 chance can’t overcome.

“I’d rather get it out of the road now, let's face it – if she can’t overcome this, she probably can’t win the Slipper anyway,” Gollan said.

“We are there to find out (if we’re good enough), we’re not scared away by the draw.

“She’s not in the (Slipper) field yet, she has to run onetwo, but if she can’t run that, we’re not going to wait around and see anyway.

“She has done a great job, we don’t think that job is done yet but we’re not going to be hanging around sweating on the ballot of a race, if she’s not good enough to win or be there about – what’s the point?”

Despite earning $1.6m in prizemoney in her three starts, only $103,700 is eligible for the Golden Slipper, but Gollan isn’t complaining, saying it is no different to the race to qualify for the Magic Millions each year.

After having a number of Golden Slipper runners, the champion trainer believes Skirt The Law is the best twoyear-old he has ever had his hands on. “We have taken a few horses down for these races before that have had lesser form than her and been very competitive, Vincere Volare, Ef Troop and Outback Barbie,” Gollan said. “She is the most exciting juvenile I have trained and she is just so progressive, I don’t know where the ceiling is with her.”

Gollan will also have his eye on Sandown, where he has Zoustyle in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m).

Zoustyle was dealt barrier 20 of 20.