Race fit colt ready for Slipper War
Sending Warwoven (Sword Of State) into the Golden Slipper on a seven-day back-up has never been Plan A, but the forecast for rain in Sydney has trainer Bjorn Baker warming to the challenge.
Two horses have won the race on a quick turnaround in recent years, Kiamichi (Sidestep) in 2019 and Shinzo (Snitzel) three years ago, and should Rosehill be wet on Saturday, Warwoven's race fitness could become an advantage.
The colt, who has barrier 14, was a $7 chance on Wednesday, while stablemate and pre-draw equal favourite Paradoxium (Extreme Choice) had eased to $8 after coming up with gate 18.
Baker believes both are still on an upward spiral and says their respective ability to bounce back from different setbacks suffered during halted Magic Millions campaigns in Queensland underscores their toughness.
"Both colts have got a great constitution and very good attitudes, so that gives you a bit of encouragement," Baker said.
"They've both been on the way up, so if anything, the back-up could work to our advantage, especially if there is a little bit of rain around and the track does get demanding. Maybe that would tip me towards Warwoven."
Rachel King partners Warwoven and if successful, will become the first female jockey to win the world's richest juvenile race.
The youngster will have the addition of blinkers for the first time to help his cause, Baker hoping they can offer a winning edge.
"He has worked in them previously and has gone very well so we thought, Saturday is the day to do it," he said.
"It's a bit of a risky move, but he's drawn out a touch.
"We've got the option to go forward or take a sit. Rachel knows him very well, so we'll figure that out."
An outside draw has made Paradoxium's task harder, but Baker says that just means they have to get their race plan right.
"No doubt, the gate, he is going to have to overcome that," he said.
"He's just going to need a little bit of luck from out wide and make sure we get our tactics spot-on.
"But the main thing is we are here, and he is in good shape and healthy."
Seven of the past 15 Golden Slipper winners have drawn barrier eight or wider, six of them jumping from double-figure alleys.
Along with Warwoven, two other runners have significant gear changes on Saturday with Chris Waller also electing to put blinkers on Fireball (Snitzel) for the first time, while he has taken them off stablemate Hidrix (Extreme Choice) after the colt failed to respond to them as hoped in the Todman Stakes (1200m).
