By Craig Kerry
Gerald Ryan rang co-trainer Sterling Alexiou after trackwork on Tuesday morning to tell him King Of Pop “will win the Slipper”.
A few hours later, the Black Opal Stakes winner’s chances took a hit when he drew the extreme outside in gate 16 for Saturday’s $5 million Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill.
Kerrin McEvoy rides Skyhook to victory in the Pago Pago Stakes.Credit: Getty Images
Ryan, chasing his first Slipper victory after multiple placings, was disappointed with the draw but thrilled with his Farnan colt.
“When he worked yesterday morning, I rang Sterling and said ‘This horse will win the Slipper’,” Ryan said on Wednesday.
“I’ve never seen him work so good. He worked sensational.
“Two weeks between runs, third-up, and he’s improved from Canberra.”
King Of Pop, unbeaten in two starts, broke the track record when overhauling Farcited late in the group 3 (1200m) at Canberra. Zac Lloyd stays aboard King Of Pop, which was a $27 chance with Sportsbet after the tough draw.
Ryan and Alexiou will saddle up two chances in the richest race for two-year-olds after Skyhook won the final qualifier for colts and geldings, the group 3 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m), in commanding style at Rosehill last Saturday.
Ryan had no doubts about the Written Tycoon colt’s ability to back up from last week’s run in hot conditions when he led and kicked clear in the straight to win by more than three lengths.
“He pulled up good, terrific,” he said.
“He left home at 11.30 and he’s back there by about 2.20, so he’s only out of his box for not even three hours, and he’s a pretty switched-on horse.
“He won well and didn’t have a gut-buster. He seems bright and well, vetted sound, eating his feed. He come off the track yesterday pig-rooting.
“People make too much of a fuss about horses backing up. They win last week because they are fit.”
Skyhook drew far better, in eight, and was an $8.50 shot with Kerrin McEvoy to ride.
“He’s in a good gate and Kerrin can decide what he wants to do. There’s speed inside and outside, so he might be able to lob into a good spot,” Ryan said.
Godolphin filly Tempted and Chris Waller-trained colt Wodeton, which drew one and two respectively, shared favouritism at $5 on Wednesday in what shapes as one of the most open editions of the Slipper.
“I think there’s a lot of even, good two-year-olds,” Ryan said.
“I don’t reckon it’s a bad year, I reckon they are good horses and they are even.
“At the sales 18 months ago, when we were buying these horses, they were all great types.”
