Racing: Trusting to luck to make Golden Slipper field

SYDNEY - Waikato trainer Brian Jenkins has a nervous nine days ahead of him to see whether his flashy colt Dr Green becomes the first New Zealand runner in the A$3 million Golden Slipper in a decade.

Our Maizcay was the last Kiwi juvenile to race in the two-year-old classic when he finished a meritorious fourth from a wide draw in 1995.

Dr Green greatly encouraged Jenkins with his run for fourth in Saturday's Todman Stakes at Rosehill in Sydney, leaving him in no doubt the colt was up to the class of the the slipper. But the horse is not yet guaranteed a run.

His fourth pushed his prizemoney total up to A$51,000, placing him 18th in the order of entry for the 16-horse slipper field to be run at Rosehill on March 19.

That makes him a borderline chance of making the field when final declarations are made on Tuesday week, but his chances have already improved with Queen Of The Hill today heading for the spelling paddock.

Dr Green was backing up after a start at Canterbury the previous Saturday and Jenkins has no plans to race him again before the slipper.

"We have not had all the luck in the world lately, but hopefully we'll get some in the next few weeks," Jenkins said.

Written Tycoon firmed in from a double-figure quote to be a $5.50 third favourite for the slipper with the New South Wales TAB, behind Snitzel at $2.65 and impressive winner of the Reisling Stakes on Saturday, Fashions Afield at $4.50. Dr Green is still listed a $101 chance.

New Zealand-owned Falkirk will run in the George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill on March 19 after his good run for second behind Dance Hero in the group two Royale Corporate Stakes at Rosehill.

Falkirk was widest into the straight and ran on strongly without threatening Dance Hero.

Another Kiwi-owned mare, Vouvray, was a solid second to Grand Armee, but was 5-1/2 lengths behind Sydney's best horse at the finish. Both are expected to start in The BMW next Saturday.

- NZPA