Hidrix and Confederation, who filled the quinella spots for Chris Waller in the Canonbury Stakes, are slated to meet again this weekend in pursuit of Golden Slipper form during the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes at Rosehill.
Debuting over 1100 metres in the Canonbury, Hidrix edged out his barnmate by 1-3/4 lengths, though Waller expects Confederation to challenge more strongly in the $300,000 Group 2 on Saturday.
“Hidrix has come on nicely. The other horse has got to harness that early speed that he had,” Waller said.
“A little gear change with him and he’ll be right. He could turn the tables if he does things right.”
For the $650,000 Magic Millions yearling by Wootton Bassett named Confederation, Waller’s tweak involves rein-linking gear to boost jockey command.
“It’s called an Irish martingale,” Waller said.
“We’ve been using them a bit more. They stop them from throwing their head.”
The $1.7 million Inglis Easter purchase Hidrix, sired by Extreme Choice, and Confederation head a field of 16 Silver Slipper nominations that also boasts Eviction Notice from third in the Canonbury, previous Golden Slipper elect Incognito, and Gimcrack Stakes champion Shiki.
Waller’s charges enter the Silver Slipper for start two, contrasting traditional paths for Golden Slipper winners who often race earlier, but Waller endorses his two-year-old preparation method.
“It just seems to work for us,” he said.
“You get a month out from the Slipper and you think you’ve got nothing and, all of a sudden, you’ve got two or three.”
Not entered but betting well for the Golden Slipper without racing experience, Central Europe could bow in next weekend’s $300,000 Group 2 Skyline Stakes at Randwick, per Waller.
Waller indicated the tight program leaves a slim Golden Slipper opening.
“He would only get there through running in the Pago Pago second-up,” he said.
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