After working with the horses on Tuesday morning, Gerald Ryan called co-trainer Sterling Alexiou to say he believes "King of Pop will take home the Slipper."
A few hours later, the Black Opal Stakes winner’s chances took a hit when he drew the extreme outside in gate 16 for Saturday’s $5 million Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill.
Ryan, seeking his inaugural Slipper win following several close calls, expressed disappointment over the draw yet showed excitement about his Farnan colt.
"When he was working yesterday morning, I called Sterling and said 'This horse is going to win the Slipper,'" Ryan stated on Wednesday.
“I've never witnessed him perform so well. He worked amazingly.”
Fourteen days since his last race, running for the third time, and he has shown improvement coming from Canberra.
The undefeated King Of Pop shattered the track record as he outpaced Farcited down the stretch during the Group 3 race (1200m) at Canberra. Jockey Zac Lloyd continues his partnership with King Of Pop, who surprised many coming off a difficult draw and went off as a $27 outsider via Sportsbet.
Ryan and Alexiou are set to have two contenders in the most lucrative race for two-year-olds following Skyhook’s dominant victory in the group 3 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) for colts and geldlings, which secured her spot as the final qualifier at Rosehill on Saturday.
Ryan had complete confidence in the Written Tycoon colt's capability to follow up despite running under challenging weather conditions last week. The horse took an early lead and pulled away down the stretch to secure a victory of over three lengths.
"He stopped well, fantastic," he remarked.
He departed from home around 11:30 and returned by approximately 2:20, which means he spends less than three hours outside his stable, despite being quite an alert horse.
He won convincingly without exertion. He appears alert and healthy,vet checked as fit, and tucking into his food. Yesterday, he was rooting around like a pig after leaving the racetrack.
Too much emphasis is placed on horses backing up. They won last week as they were in good condition.
Skyhook performed significantly better, coming in at number eight, and was listed at $8.50 odds with Kerrin McEvoy set to ride.
"He has a favorable starting position, and Kerrin will have the option to choose his strategy. With quick horses both inside and outside him, he could find himself in an advantageous spot," Ryan stated.
The Godolphin-owned filly Tempted and the colt Wodeton, trained by Chris Waller and starting from gates one and two respectively, were both favored at $5 on Wednesday for what looks set to be one of the closest-ever Runoffs.
"I believe there are many impressive two-year-olds," Ryan stated.
I wouldn't say it's a bad year; I think they are good horses and they seem quite evenly matched.
“A year and a half back, during the sales period when we purchased these horses, they were all excellent specimens.”