Earthquake is bound to send a few shudders through her Reisling Stakes rivals but rain will be the only thing that scares Lucky Raquie off.
Although trainer Gerald Ryan believes the Black Opal Stakes winner may be better suited to longer races like the Sires and Champagne Stakes, Lucky Raquie will be given her chance to cement a Golden Slipper berth in Saturday’s Reisling as long as the track is not wet.
The filly is closely related to Rubick who finished fourth behind Earthquake in last month’s Group One Blue Diamond Stakes.
“I’ve always thought she was more of a Sires-Champagne type of horse but if she is competitive in the Reisling then she will be given a chance in the Slipper,” Ryan said.
“But she won’t run if it’s wet. She has shown she doesn’t like that so I will make up my mind later in the week.
“If it’s wet we can wait until the week after for the Magic Night.
“I will also nominate Ygritte for the Reisling.”
The Ryan-trained Believe Yourself earned a start in the $3.5 million Golden Slipper at Rosehill on April 5 with her win in Saturday’s Sweet Embrace Stakes.
“She has come through the race well,” Ryan said.
“She’s only little but has a big motor and she will deserves a chance.”
Darley filly Earthquake is unbeaten in three starts and stable jockey Kerrin McEvoy will ride her in a race for the first time when she contests the Reisling.
Commitments in Melbourne kept McEvoy from riding her on debut in November with Christian Reith aboard on that occasion.
Damian Browne took over for Earthquake’s wins in the Prelude and Blue Diamond when McEvoy was injured.
Earthquake is the dominant favourite for the Slipper at $2.80 with another unbeaten filly Mossfun next at $8.
Magic Millions winner Unencumbered is on the third line of betting at $11 while Believe Yourself joined a large group on $26 after the TAB slashed her price from $201 following the win.
Saturday’s Skyline Stakes winner Valentia is also at $26, coming in from $51.
Valentia is now Tommy Berry’s Golden Slipper hope after injury ruled the colt’s Gai Waterhouse-trained stablemate Fighting Sun out of the autumn.
– AAP