Sunlight up to pressure

TRAINER Tony McEvoy has dared Sunlight’s rivals to take on his brilliant filly at their own peril in the $ 3.5 million Longines Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

McEvoy cited Sunlight’s brave effort to win the Magic Night Stakes last Saturday as evidence of her ability to cope with what is expected to be a frenetic, pressure- laden Golden Slipper.

“They went out hard last week and Setsuna and others tried to pressure Sunlight,’’ McEvoy said.

“But those that took her on finished out the back and she was the last one standing.

“She sent a strong message if you do want to take her on they will pay the price.’’

Sunlight remains Slipper favourite but has eased slightly to $ 4.20 after drawing perfectly in barrier five. Unbeaten colt Written By firmed from $ 5 into $ 4.80 after drawing right alongside in gate four.

Written By’s trainer, Gra- hame Begg, said the draw gave his colt every chance to run well in a competitive Golden Slipper.

“This is a Slipper field deep in talented two- year- olds,’’ Begg said. “The barrier draw is always important in this race and fortunately Written By has come up with an inside barrier.

“His sire, Written Tycoon, was my last Slipper runner ( 11th to Stratum in 2005). He drew wide and had no luck.

“Written By drew wide in his first three starts but he was able to overcome those wide gates because he gets himself into a nice rhythm, absorbs pressure and gives a good kick at the finish.’’

The barrier draw was kind to some and cruel to others particularly for connections of Estijaab who has drawn right off the track. If the emergencies are scratched, the filly will start from 14. Chris Waller’s Slipper runners, Performer ( 16) and Fiesta ( 20) drew wide.

Secret Lady drew barrier 13 – a gate which has never produced a Slipper winner.