Boom filly Learning To Fly will almost certainly take her place from an outside barrier in the $2 million Inglis Millennium as connections keep their focus on the bigger Golden Slipper picture.
The youngster has come up with gate 19 in Saturday’s Randwick feature and will jump from the widest alley in 16 if the emergencies don’t start.
Rob Archibald, racing manager for trainer Annabel Neasham, said the stable felt the Inglis Millennium (1100m) was the right race for Learning To Fly from a Slipper perspective, despite the tough draw.
“We are really considering running based on the fact that timing wise, it’s the best run into the Slipper,” Archibald said.
“If you’re going to draw wide, Randwick is probably as good as anywhere with only that one turn, so Chad (Schofield) will have plenty of time to try to find a nice spot.
“She is going well, she’s come through her first-up run in good order and at this stage the plan is for her to take her place.”
Learning To Fly showed exciting potential in her two barrier trials and backed it up with a commanding debut win in the Widden Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill two weeks ago.
That performance vaulted her to the top of Golden Slipper markets and reinforced Neasham’s opinion that she was a top-shelf filly.
“We have a big opinion of her. It was nice to see her go and do it at the races after showing so much at home and in her trials,” Archibald said.
“We know she’s got ability, she is still very raw and there is nice improvement to come, even just with her racing manners.
“We are hoping she can come out and produce something similar and if she can, she can be competitive.”
Neasham will also saddle-up Capitalist filly Dorothy Gail who placed behind Millennium rival Lazzago on debut in December before taking out a strong two-year-old race at Scone last start.
While she rises steeply in grade on Saturday, Archibald said she was far from the roughest.
“She was very good at Scone last start and she has taken good benefit from that run as she went into that on the back of a little break,” he said.
“She has drawn nicely (barrier six), Tom Marquand goes on. Her work was super on Tuesday and we expect her to run well.
“I think she is a bit of a hidden gem. The spotlight has gone on the other filly, but don’t discount her.”
Dorothy Gail was a $34 chance on Thursday as Learning To Fly remained a clear-cut $2.80 favourite, while the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Facile had backing, firming into $7.50 after opening at $11.