No movement in Slipper market after She Will Reign’s Rosehill win
UNBEATEN filly She Will Reign kept its winning run intact at Rosehill in the Silver Slipper Stakes despite getting away to a disastrous start.
The highly touted two-year-old closed at $1.36 at Crownbet.com.au, but completely missed the start, giving its rivals a massive head-start across the 1100m distance.
However, the Manhattan Reign progeny was ridden patiently by Brenton Avdulla, who kept the highly backed runner closer to the inside and put the field away in the latter stages of the race much to the delight of the Sydney crowd.
Despite the strong finish which displayed the gun runner’s versatility and ability to overcome adversity Sportsbet.com.au have elected to keep She Will Reign at the $5.50 quote for the Golden Slipper.
Previously unbeaten Godolphin runner Veranillo closed out well to claim second place and return $2.70 at Crownbet.com.au while Showtime rounded out the placings.
She Will Reign’s trainer Gary Portelli said in the aftermath of the race that he foresaw how the race would unfold.
“I actually came here thinking ‘I bet this misses the start today’,” Portelli joked.
“So much expectation on, it half missed the start in the Inglis race, so she’s so relaxed.”
Portelli believes his galloper has its own unique race day ritual.
“I’ve got a feeling on race day that she goes into a bit of a trance or something, she looks really quiet.”
The race displayed the talents of She Will Reign after the $200,000 filly came from the tail end of the field to salute after winning multiple races from the head of affairs.
Portelli said the adaptability the two-year-old showcased on Saturday will enhance its Golden Slipper chances even further.
“The gates open and she just stood there, (but) we see what she does at track work and we know she’s got a turn of foot, it’s just a matter of having something like that happen today to show us she can come from behind.
“She’s got plenty of arsenal there.”
The trainer said the team just has to ‘put the polish on her now’ to get the filly in order for a shot at the world’s richest two-year-old race.
“It was perfect education for here going forward, and now we have a true chance at a Golden Slipper,” he said.