The Golden Slipper campaign of Four Moves Ahead remains on track despite the gun filly’s scratching from a key lead-up race at Rosehill.
A dominant winner of her only start last month, Four Moves Ahead had been the early favourite for the Group Two Silver Slipper (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
However, trainer John Sargent was forced to withdraw her following a stable mishap which required him to treat her just days out from the race.
“She bumped her knee in the box and I had to treat her,” Sargent said.
“With the treatment, it’s too close to running on Saturday so I’ve had to scratch her and she will go to the Sweet Embrace next week.”
Four Moves Ahead suffered the bump on Wednesday night and Sargent said the filly had improved markedly by Friday.
While he is disappointed to miss the Silver Slipper, Sargent remains optimistic his filly can be a force during the autumn.
“It’s a shame because it was a nice race for her on Saturday,” he said.
“But onwards and upwards. As long as I get a good gallop into her on Tuesday she will be right for next Saturday.”
Unbeaten Godolphin two-year-old Paulele is the new Silver Slipper favourite at $3.60, just ahead of the Chris Waller-trained Home Affairs ($3.80).
Peter Snowden confirmed King Of Sparta would back up from his unplaced effort behind Stay Inside last weekend and predicted an improved showing from a better draw.
The youngster settled among the tailenders in the Pierro Plate and never got into the race but he will take up a more prominent position from barrier three on Saturday.
“He’s had two starts and just drawn the car park in both of them,” Snowden said.
“Young horses needs a bit of help and from a good gate, they make their own luck.”
The Snowdens also have Construct in the Group One Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield and likewise regard him as a better chance than his $34 odds suggest.
Runner-up to Shaquero in the Breeders’ Plate, Construct was warming up late behind General Beau in the Blue Diamond Prelude.
“I thought his run was good. He never got a crack at them at all. He ended up in between horses and only got out late but he was finishing better than anything in the last 100 metres,” Snowden said.
“He steps up to 1200 metres and has a better draw (five) on Saturday, blinkers on should help him so I’m expecting him to be competitive.”