Racing: Slipper qualifiers complete but field still not settled

The Golden Slipper field is still not settled after yesterday's final qualifying race with the winner and runner-up of the Magic Night Stakes for fillies not certain to start.

Indian Ocean got the nod over Marquadt by a half-head to gain automatic entry to the Slipper but trainer Tim Martin said it was not a fait accompli.

The A$30,000 ($37,014) Marquadt earned for second boosted her prizemoney to more than A$103,000 and she would also make the 16-horse field but Patinack Farm general manager Rick Connolly said her participation was also in doubt.

"I'm not sure if she will back up next week," Martin said of Indian Ocean. "I will have to talk it over with the owners."

Those owners include Coolmore Australia general manager Michael Kirwan who said the original plan was to bypass the Slipper and go to the Sires' Produce Stakes.

"Tim is the trainer and it is up to him," Kirwan said. "The original plan was the Sires and at the moment that's my gut feeling."

For Marquardt to start, owner Nathan Tinkler has to pay a A$150,000 late entry fee tomorrow.

"I'll talk it over with Nathan," Connolly said. "She has been up for a while and I don't know if she will press on to the Slipper."

Tickets, the winner of the Pago Pago Stakes for colts and geldings, is a definite starter and will join his John O'Shea-trained stablemate Wanted in the big race.

Hugh Bowman rode the winners of both 2-year-old races yesterday and has been booked for Tickets with Jim Cassidy to ride Wanted.

More Joyous and Real Saga are joint favourites for the Golden Slipper at $3.50 with TAB Sportsbet ahead of Rostova at $8 and Blue Diamond Stakes winner Reward For Effort at $10.

Trainer Steve Richards was more than happy with Rostova's barrier trial at Randwick on Friday and confirmed her owners would pay the late entry.

Reward For Effort beat Real Saga in the Blue Diamond Stakes.

In the order as it stood after the two features, Magic Millions winner Phelan Ready was number 16 and Marquardt one place higher.

- AAP