News

Satin Shoes primed for Slipper campaign

7th Feb 2011

AAP Racing - Matthew Toogood - Sunday, 6 February 2011

Four-time Golden Slipper winning trainer Clarry Conners rates the fillies as the benchmark heading towards April's $3.5 million race.

Two-year-old stakes racing swings into gear in Sydney this weekend with Conners to start his main Golden Slipper hope, Satin Shoes, in the Listed Widden Stakes (1100m) for fillies at Randwick.

The Listed Canonbury Stakes (1100m) for two-year-old colts and geldings will also be run at the meeting.

The Peter Snowden-trained colt Sepoy was installed the $8.50 Golden Slipper favourite with TAB Sportsbet on Friday, but Conners has unbeaten fillies Karuta Queen and Pane In The Glass as the measuring stick at present.

"Those two fillies are the best at the moment, I think, they're very professional," Conners said.

"The filly of Patinack's (Pane In The Glass) may not have beaten anything but you can't do any more than win.

"Horses can't do any more than win, if the opposition isn't there its not their fault, is it?"

Karuta Queen has won four from four including the $2 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m) last month.

The Neville Layt-trained filly is the $10 second favourite for the Slipper and is not expected to reappear at the races until March in either the Black Opal Stakes in Canberra or one of the Slipper lead-ups in Sydney.

Pane In The Glass, $13 in Slipper betting, has won three from three including two Inglis sale restricted races.

Her most recent effort was a dominant 5-3/4-length victory in the $250,000 Inglis Classic (1200m) at Rosehill.

While Conners has plenty of respect for Karuta Queen and Pane In The Glass, he is confident Satin Shoes is a genuine Golden Slipper contender and the filly will be out to back up her impressive debut performance in Saturday's Widden.

"I just think my filly is up to them, Conners said.

"I really think my filly (Satin Shoes) is up to the better class two-year-olds racing at present."

Satin Shoes raced away with victory at Randwickin October when she defeated Anevay by 2-1/4-lengths over 1000m.

Anevay was narrowly beaten in the Blue Diamond fillies Preview at Caulfield on Australia Day.

Satin Shoes, $15 for the Slipper, has strengthened up since her first appearance in October.

She indicated she was right on target for the Widden when she cruised to a 4-3/4-length barrier trial win over 900 metres at Rosehill last Tuesday.

"I was very happy with her trial," Conners said.

Conners will be chasing his second straight Widden Stakes success after Georgette Silk took out the event 12 months ago.