News

Slipper proving a Common goal

26th Mar 2009

LEE Freedman's quest for a fifth Golden Slipper Stakes victory rests with unbeaten Common Interest's performance in tomorrow's Darley Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill.

Common Interest, $3.40 favourite for the race with TAB Sportsbet and $31 for the Golden Slipper (1200m), needs a hugely impressive win to influence connections to press ahead with a start in tomorrow week's $3.5 million big race (1200m).

Freedman is in Dubai for the Dubai World Cup meeting this weekend, but stable racing manager Sam Pritchard-Gordon confirmed Slipper plans hinged on tomorrow's $150,000 Group 2 race.

"He's a potential stallion prospect so we have to weigh up every option," Pritchard-Gordon said.

"Realistically, as much as he looks impressive, he still needs to improve to match the likes of (Slipper prospects) Real Saga and More Joyous.

"He's had three weeks between runs and it is three weeks to the Sires Produce Stakes (1400m). But we haven't ruled the Slipper out."

A win tomorrow would guarantee Common Interest a start in the Slipper, as at 17th in the order of entry he is danger of being balloted from the field of 16.

Stablemate Rock The Moment, $101 with TAB Sportsbet, is 12th in order of entry, certain of a start and will trial at Warwick Farm today.

"The owners are keen to run and we are happy to go along with them," Pritchard-Gordon said.

Rock The Moment, Reward For Effort, Headway and Rostova look to be the certain Victorian-trained runners at this stage.

Freedman won a remarkable four successive Golden Slippers with Bint Marscay 1993, Danzero 1994, Flying Spur 1995 and Merlene in 1996.

Only the Tim Martin-trained Indian Ocean is guaranteed a Slipper start from the youngsters contesting tomorrow's Darley Pago Pago and Parramatta Leagues Club Magic Night Stakes (1200m) lead-ups.

The situation is even more dire for the colts and geldings contesting the Pago Pago Stakes with all nine runners including boom colt Tickets needing to win to get into the 16-horse Slipper field.

Warwick Farm trainer Gary Portelli, who has an uncanny knack with two-year-olds, is hoping to boost his Slipper representation with success in two must-win races for Sheeznodoubt and Romanus.

Portelli already has talented Delago Bolt safely in the Slipper field and believes Sheeznodoubt is capable of joining her stablemate by winning the Group 2 Magic Nights Stakes.

Romanus, an under-rated youngster, keeps surprising his trainer and could also emerge as a Slipper contender with success in the Pago Pago Stakes.