A juvenile capable of handling high-pressure racing is exactly what a trainer looks for when targeting the Golden Slipper, and Kris Lees is confident that Rivellino fits the bill after maintaining his unbeaten record at Randwick. The victory also secured Jason Collett a two-year-old double on the day.
Having already won over 1000m and 1100m, Rivellino stepped up to 1200m in the Group 2 Skyline Stakes and delivered once again. The Too Darn Hot colt is now a $15 chance for the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on March 22.
“He’s a proper horse, this bloke,” Lees said of the colt, who previously claimed the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) on February 8.
“We look forward to getting there (to the Golden Slipper). He’s pretty versatile, and I think on a really hot speed, you’ll see a better product again.
“He got a lovely ride from Jason to let him stride up into a three-deep line, and that was a winning move off what, without looking at the times, looked a pretty even type of race on times.
“He let him stride into the race at the right time, and that was the winning move, but he fought off a few late. It was a good effort.”
Rivellino ($5.50) edged out Skyhook ($9), trained by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, by a head, while Quietly Arrogant ($7.50) was another head away in third after an unlucky run.
In the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) for fillies, Within The Law ($5.50) charged home from a rearward position to claim victory, securing her spot in the Golden Slipper. She had finished second to Rivellino in the Millennium and continued her strong form.
Trainer Bjorn Baker anticipated that Jason Collett would settle her off the pace before launching a late challenge, a strategy that paid off as she denied race favorite Bellazaine ($3.60) by a nose.
Following her win, Within The Law has shortened from $15 to $11 in Golden Slipper betting.