News

Conners in no rush with Joan Of Arc

19th Jan 2009

Racing and Sports - Monday, 19 January 2009

Clarry Conners is happy to let Gai Waterhouse and boom filly More Joyous take centre stage while he quietly goes about the business of winning his fifth Golden Slipper.

More Joyous made a stunning debut at Rosehill on Saturday and was immediately installed favourite for the $3.5 million Golden Slipper on April 4.

While she will have to win at least one more race to ensure a start, the Conners-trained Our Joan Of Arc is already safely qualified with more than $200,000 prizemoney from two stakes victories from her three starts.

Conners watched More Joyous win at Rosehill and was impressed but in no way frightened.

"She was very impressive but I'm very happy with my filly," Conners said.

"There is no pressure. She is assured of a start so we don't have to rush her.

"She will run in the Kindergarten which has been the plan all along, then Rosehill two weeks later and then the Slipper.

"All I have to do is get her there on the day."

The Group Three Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) is at Conners' home track Warwick Farm on March 7 with the Group Two Reisling Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on March 21.

Our Joan Of Arc cost just $15,000 at the Inglis Classic Sale and recouped that and more with a winning debut in the Gimcrack Stakes on October 4.

She started favourite at her second start, the Inglis Juvenile at Moonee Valley three weeks later, but barrier one proved a disadvantage as she struggled for clear running and finished fifth.

She had a much more comfortable time in the Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington on November 1 to score a comprehensive three-length win over Zaffan.

More Joyous is the $5 Golden Slipper favourite with Col Tidy's betchoice.com ahead of Real Saga ($9) while Our Joan Of Arc is on the fourth line of betting at $17.

Breeders' Plate winner Real Saga, who is trained by Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, is entered for the two-year-old handicap at Randwick on Saturday.