A vital piece of the Golden Slipper puzzle is expected to come together at Randwick when nominal Slipper favourite Learning To Fly takes on a capacity field in the $2 million Inglis Millennium.
The filly vaulted to the top of markets with an outstanding debut win in the Widden Stakes last month but her next challenge will be backing that up from an outside draw in Saturday’s 1100m feature.
In a race that brings together a swathe of excellent interstate and Sydney formlines, trainer Michael Freedman, who won the 2021 Golden Slipper with Stay Inside, is hoping one of his two runners can upstage the reigning favourite.
Mexico makes a belated return after being scratched at the barriers prior to the Lonhro Plate last Saturday but has subsequently trialled to the satisfaction of stewards to earn his place.
The colt laid a solid foundation for the autumn with two competitive runs at his initial campaign, finishing runner-up on a heavy track at his Melbourne debut and sixth behind Barber in the Golden Gift.
“He seems to have come back an improved colt from his first prep,” Freedman said.
Blanc De Blanc is looking to stake her Golden Slipper claims following an encouraging third in the Inglis Nursery when she was strong late despite travelling wide in the run.
In a key booking, James Mcdonald sticks with the filly, although she will again have to overcome a tough draw in barrier 16.
While the Golden Slipper is just five weeks from Saturday, Freedman believes the lack of a dominant juvenile so far this season means there is still plenty to play out in the two-year-old space.
“I don’t think there is a stand-out two-year-old. I think it is up for grabs really,” Freedman said.
“The next four or five weeks will uncover a lot.
“But right at the moment, you could have ten picks and not get it. I think it is still very wide open.”
Along with Blanc De Blanc and Mexico, Freedman has Widden Stakes placegetter Mumbai Muse and colt High King still in the mix for the major two-year-old races.
High King didn’t have any luck when fifth to Don Corleone at his only start and will line up in the Pierro Plate (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday.
“I have a lot of time for Mumbai Muse. She is likely to go to the Sweet Embrace (Stakes),” Freedman said.
“And I still have a lot of faith in High King. He had no luck the other day and we might see him in the Pierro Plate.”