Earthquake’s Blue Diamond Stakes win has brought back memories of Sepoy for trainer Peter Snowden who will give her a similar lead-up to the Golden Slipper.
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Sepoy completed the double in 2011 but suffered his first defeat in the Todman Stakes two weeks before the Slipper when beaten by Smart Missile.
Earthquake has firmed to $2.80 favourite for the $3.5 million Golden Slipper on April 5 ahead of Magic Millions winner Unencumbered at $8.
The Bjorn Baker-trained Unencumbered is scheduled to run in Saturday’s Silver Slipper at Rosehill and Snowden could have a couple to oppose him.
“I will nominate Ghibellines and Memorial but I might not run either of them,” Snowden told Sydney’s Sky Sports Radio.
“Earthquake will have four or five days at the farm. I don’t think she’s peaked yet.
“She can go to the Reisling Stakes two weeks before the Slipper. She is the sort of horse who can do that.
“When she worked on Tuesday it was Sepoy type of work. It will be harder in the Slipper but the way she’s winning races, she’s got the necessary attributes to do it.
“It’s all there for her.”
Law is the $15 third favourite for the Slipper and is also scheduled to run at Rosehill on Saturday.
He is the leading hope for Gai Waterhouse after Fighting Sun was found to be injured a day after his second win.
A decision on whether Rubick continues to the Golden Slipper will be deferred following his fourth in the Blue Diamond.
Rubick is a $26 chance for the Slipper as is Ghibellines, a half brother to star filly Guelph who was well beaten on her return in Saturday’s Light Fingers Stakes.
Snowden said he was disappointed with Hugh Bowman’s ride on Guelph who was wide all the way and failed to mount a challenge in the race won by Sweet Idea.
“Hughie made a mistake by not going back on her,” Snowden said.
“We talked about it and he put his hand up. It’s just not the way to ride her.”
Guelph ran fourth in the 2013 Golden Slipper before stepping up in distance to take out the Sires’ Produce Stakes and the Champagne Stakes.
In the spring she claimed the Group One double of the Flight Stakes and Thousand Guineas.
