Pembrey, Closer To Free and Music Time have officially secured spots in the $5 million TAB Golden Slipper after their connections paid the $150,000 late entry fee before Monday’s 11am deadline.
The addition of the trio to the 16-horse line-up for the world’s richest race for two-year-olds means several hopefuls, including Agrarian Girl, Medicinal and By Choice, have narrowly missed out on gaining a start.
As it stands, the likely make-up of the Golden Slipper field will include 10 colts, one gelding and five fillies. Final acceptances are scheduled for 9am on Tuesday, with the all-important barrier draw to follow two hours later.
Many of the jockey bookings have already been confirmed, with Regan Bayliss locked in to ride Gimcrack Stakes winner Shiki for Kurrinda Bloodstock.
However, the rider for Tony Gollan’s Magic Night Stakes-winning filly Pembrey is yet to be finalised, though Hong Kong champion Zac Purton is understood to be a leading contender for the mount.
Australian Turf Club officials noted they could not recall the last time three horses were paid up as late nominations for the race, highlighting just how competitive this year’s Golden Slipper is shaping up.
Pembrey earned her place in the field with victory in last Saturday’s Magic Night Stakes, and after the filly pulled up well from the run, trainer Tony Gollan confirmed her owners opted to pay the late entry fee.
Closer To Free also enhanced his claims with a strong runner-up effort in the Blue Diamond Stakes, while Music Time impressed with his tough victory in the Black Opal Stakes, convincing trainer Gratz Vella and the owners to pursue a Slipper start.
The most recent late nomination to win the race was Crystal Lily in 2010.
Meanwhile, Australian Turf Club General Manager of Racecourses Michael Wood confirmed the inside rail at Rosehill will be shifted out two metres for Slipper Day. The track performed well during last weekend’s Coolmore Classic meeting, and officials are hopeful of presenting a similar surface.
“The beauty was they raced nice and tight last Saturday,’’ Wood said. “So, we are making the small move out 2m to get them on fresh, clean ground for Slipper Day.’’
Track staff will monitor Sydney’s weather throughout the week and are unlikely to irrigate the course given rain is forecast midweek.
“Our latest information is that we won’t get too much more than 5 or 6mls of rain on both days,’’ Wood said. “That would be ideal so we can have a similar sort of track to last Saturday.’’
Punters looking to back runners in the Golden Slipper can compare markets and offers across the leading Australian betting sites to secure the best available odds.
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