Chris Waller’s runners-up from the Canonbury Stakes, Hidrix and Confederation, are set to face off once more this weekend as they progress towards the Golden Slipper in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes at Rosehill.
Hidrix got the better of his stable companion by 1-3/4 lengths over 1100 metres in the Canonbury on debut, yet Waller remains confident that Confederation can close the margin in the $300,000 Group 2 on Saturday.
“Hidrix has come on nicely. The other horse has got to harness that early speed that he had,” Waller said.
“A little gear change with him and he’ll be right. He could turn the tables if he does things right.”
The adjustment Waller plans for Confederation, a Wootton Bassett colt purchased for $650,000 at the Magic Millions yearling sale, involves gear that links the reins for improved jockey control.
“It’s called an Irish martingale,” Waller said.
“We’ve been using them a bit more. They stop them from throwing their head.”
Hidrix, bought for $1.7 million at the Inglis Easter sale and by Extreme Choice, along with Confederation, feature among 16 entries for the Silver Slipper, accompanied by Canonbury third Eviction Notice, former Golden Slipper fancy Incognito, and Gimcrack Stakes victor Shiki.
The upcoming Silver Slipper marks only the second outing for Waller’s duo, and although Golden Slipper winners have usually appeared further out from the feature, Waller favours his approach with young horses.
“It just seems to work for us,” he said.
“You get a month out from the Slipper and you think you’ve got nothing and, all of a sudden, you’ve got two or three.”
Another contender absent from this weekend’s nominations but prominent in Golden Slipper wagering without a race under its belt is Central Europe, whom Waller indicated might make his debut in the $300,000 Group 2 Skyline Stakes at Randwick next weekend.
Waller noted Central Europe still has a shot at the Golden Slipper but faces a narrow schedule.
“He would only get there through running in the Pago Pago second-up,” he said.
The Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes, won by Shinzo prior to its Golden Slipper triumph, is scheduled for Rosehill on March 14. Bettors looking for value in the Silver Slipper Stakes should explore the Australian betting sites.
The post Return bout for Hidrix, Confederation first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
