Joe Pride and Shalatin will be chasing a slice of Golden Slipper history when the colt bids to become the first maiden in more than 50 years to win the prestigious race.
Only two horses, Sweet Embrace in 1967 and Fairy Walk five years later, have broken their duck in the two-year-old showpiece and Pride has no doubt Shalatin is capable of joining the elite club.
The youngster booked his spot back in November when he was narrowly edged out by 2022 Golden Slipper second favourite Sejardan in the Golden Gift.
While his two recent runs might look only fair on paper, Pride says Shalatin needed the hitout in the Silver Slipper after missing a scheduled barrier trial, then had his finishing sprint blunted on the very heavy conditions when third in the Todman Stakes.
Knowing the horse was safely in the Slipper field has also given Pride the space to bring him to hand gradually.
“Because I didn’t need to have him ready for the early runs, I had him further behind in fitness than what I would have if I was coming in having to win one before the big one,” Pride said.
“But I just knew I didn’t, so it took the pressure off.
“When you’ve got to run a peak to get into a race, it’s sometimes a problem then peaking again.
“I think he is ready to peak on Saturday. I just hope he gets a track that he can get good traction on.”
Nash Rawiller partners Shalatin in the Slipper and has a tremendous rapport with the stable through his association with top sprinter Eduardo.
Pride is confident Rawiller’s riding style will suit his colt, who has drawn well in barrier five, and he has no qualms about the fact the jockey hasn’t ridden Shalatin before in either a race or trackwork.
“Nash had never ridden Eduardo before he jumped on him,” Pride said.
“My old boss (champion trainer John Size) never used jockeys (in trackwork) and I don’t do it either.
“I’m going into the race pretty confident. Not necessarily confident he will win, but confident he will run us a mighty race and that he is more than capable of winning it.”
Shalatin will be Pride’s second runner in a Golden Slipper after Anatomica, who fought on strongly for fourth to Sebring in 2008.
