While James McDonald won’t be in action for Saturday’s Silver Slipper Stakes, the champion jockey will be watching closely as Wodeton continues his path toward the Golden Slipper.
McDonald guided the Chris Waller-trained colt to a brilliant debut victory at Rosehill on January 18 but is committed to riding Romantic Warrior in the lucrative Saudi Cup. In his absence, Kerrin McEvoy will take the reins in Saturday’s $300,000 Group 2 at Rosehill.
Wodeton is one of 16 entries, with North England and Bel Merci expected to be among his toughest challengers.
“Out of the top four in the (Golden Slipper) market, three of them are going to be there, so it will be good,” McDonald said. “But he (Wodeton) is really well. He’s had a month between runs, had a mid-prep tick-over trial, so he’s nice and spot on.”
The son of Wootton Bassett was partnered by McDonald in a recent 790m trial at Warwick Farm, where he finished fourth without being fully extended.
Currently the $3.20 betting apps favorite for the Golden Slipper, Wodeton leads the market ahead of North England and Bel Merci, both priced at $11 alongside Apocalyptic.
Bel Merci, a debut winner in the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes (1000m), has been off the scene since but signaled her readiness with a dominant 8-1/4 length trial win at Kembla Grange. North England, meanwhile, comes off an impressive 3-1/2 length trial win over Bel Merci, following his Golden Gift triumph.
Other key Silver Slipper contenders include West Of Swindon, who finished within half a length of North England in the Golden Gift, along with Lonhro Plate runner-up Beiwacht, Blue Diamond Prelude runner-up Devil Night, and Gambler, who has impressed in trials since being gelded.
The Silver Slipper Stakes shares the spotlight with the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) on Saturday, where Broadsiding will return to action against Public Attention, Linebacker, Aeliana, and the in-form Point And Shoot.
McDonald is the regular rider for Broadsiding, but with his commitments abroad, emerging talent Zac Lloyd will take his first ride on the three-time Group 1 winner in the $400,000 Group 2 event.
