Racing: Slipper lures Dr Green

BRISBANE - More than six years after his Melbourne Cup triumph with Jezabeel, Cambridge trainer Brian Jenkins is hoping to return home a hero again with a history-making Golden Slipper win with Dr Green.

No New Zealand two-year-old has won a Golden Slipper, with Our Maizcay coming closest in recent years with a fourth placing in 1995.

Dr Green will make his Australian debut in the group two Silver Shadow Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday and if all goes to plan Jenkins is hoping he'll earn a berth in the A$3 million Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on March 19.

Dr Green made a huge impression when winning by 3 1/4 lengths on debut in the listed Wellesley Stakes (1000m) at Otaki on October 23, drawing comparisons with Our Maizcay.

The Fusaichi Pegasus colt was then regarded a good thing beaten when runner-up, beaten a half-head, by Crepe De Chine in the listed Cullen Stakes (1100m) at Ellerslie on November 24.

Jenkins believes Dr Green, who will resume in the Silver Slipper, should be unbeaten after the youngster threw his last race away when he appeared to run out in the straight after shying at a video screen.

"It was out of character for him to hang out," Jenkins said.

"We're not really sure what happened but he's shown no signs of hanging since and I'm not concerned he could do it again.

"A lot of horses do it at some stage in their preparations and never do it again."

Jenkins has booked Rhys McLeod to partner Dr Green.

"He's a rider I like and I know him well," Jenkins said.

"The horse has got some speed at home against our two-year-olds but they go a lot faster here.

- NZPA