The Magic Millions 2YO Classic has failed to dent Incognito’s standing at the top of Golden Slipper betting, with the colt edging closer to a racetrack return.

Trained by Michael Freedman, the son of Stay Inside skipped the Gold Coast feature despite being eligible after his $1 million yearling purchase.

Instead, Freedman opted for another trial last Thursday as preparations build towards the March 21 Golden Slipper.

That 850-metre hit-out followed a January 2 trial win at Rosehill, and the trainer is pleased with how the colt is progressing.

“At this stage the plan is to head to the Canonbury Stakes on the 31st of January at Rosehill, which gives us 16 days,” Freedman said.

“Things can change with two-year-olds very quickly, so I never look too far ahead with them, but he’s a really well-behaved, sensible colt and he’s got plenty of substance to him.

“I’m hoping he’s the one that can stand up.”

Incognito has raced just once, scoring impressively in the Group 3 Breeders’ Plate (1000m) at Randwick.

He finished third in last week’s trial behind Enriched, with Manaal splitting the pair, while Group 1 winners Lady Shenandoah and Beiwacht finished close behind.

“I didn’t want him to have a real gut-buster against the older horses, but Tommy was rapt with him,” Freedman said.

“He travelled nicely, came off heels and quickened up when we wanted him to and then just sort of let him float to the line.

“Mixing it with a few pretty handy older ones, it was a nice effort.”