Wodeton set to skip Canonbury in favour of Silver Slipper
Wodeton set to skip Canonbury in favour of Silver Slipper
Chris Waller is happy to adopt a more patient approach this autumn with Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) favourite Wodeton (Wootton Bassett), who is likely to make his next start in next month’s Silver Slipper (Gr 2, 1100m).
The Coolmore-owned colt’s sensational debut win at Rosehill earlier this month earned him top billing for the track’s two-year-old feature on March 22, and Saturday’s Canonbury Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) was being considered for his next start.
However, Waller confirmed the son of Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj) would instead return to the Sydney track for the Silver Slipper on February 22 after being given a short freshen-up.
“The Canonbury was an option, but I think he gets a three-kilo penalty for winning the other day,” Waller said. “He will probably go to the Silver Slipper. It breaks his preparation up a little bit.”
Waller is also eyeing the Todman Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) at Randwick two weeks on from that event, giving the juvenile a fortnight into the $5 million Golden Slipper.
The champion trainer did however caution that plans are provisional, as he is keen to keep Wodeton and Saturday’s Randwick runner-up United States (Snitzel), also owned by Coolmore, on separate paths.
“[Wodeton] will probably go to the Silver Slipper and Todman,” Waller said. “But if a horse like United Stakes needs to run in the Silver Slipper, we can change.”
While Wodeton won’t be seen in the Canonbury Stakes, Zoustar (Northern Meteor) pair Tropic and Fermoy are both on track to fly the stable flag in the race after pleasing in their respective trials at Rosehill last Thursday.
Fermoy will be having his second start after making ground to finish third on debut in November, while Tropic, a brother to last week’s WJ Adams Stakes (Listed, 1000m) winner Philosopher, will be making his first appearance.