No Canonbury Stakes for boom horse Wodeton
Golden Slipper favourite Wodeton won’t be seen in the Canonbury Stakes with trainer Chris Waller happy to adopt a more patient approach to his autumn carnival preparation.
The Coolmore-owned colt scored a sensational debut win at Rosehill earlier this month to earn top billing for the two-year-old showstopper and next Saturday’s Group 3 Canonbury Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill was being considered for his next start.
However, Waller confirmed Wodeton would instead be kept on ice after being given a short freshen-up at Limitless Lodge following his brilliant performance.
“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.”
The Silver Slipper (1100m) is at Rosehill on February 22, two weeks before the Todman Stakes (1200m) at Randwick which is also on Wodeton’s agenda.
That will give the colt a fortnight into the $5 million Golden Slipper (1200m), although Waller cautions nothing is set in stone as he is keen to keep Wodeton and Saturday’s Randwick runner-up United States, 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, stablemates Tropic and Fermoy are both on track to head to the race after pleasing Waller in their respective trials at Rosehill last Thursday.
Both sons of top stallion Zoustar, Fermoy will be having his second start after making ground to finish third at his only appearance in November, while Tropic will be on debut.
Stable big guns Via Sistina, Fangirl and Switzerland are all progressing well towards their respective returns and are slated to step out for their second trials at Rosehill on Monday week.
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