Paris Dior is not nominated for the Golden Slipper, but she can give her connections a compelling reason to change course if victorious in the $2 million Inglis Millennium.
Not only will the $1.16 million first prizemoney cheque bankroll the $150,000 late entry fee for the Slipper, Saturday’s race also provides a handy measuring stick in the form of undefeated colt Sejardan.
The Breeders’ Plate and Golden Gift winner is considered one of the leading 2022 Golden Slipper chances at $11 and he is a $3.60 favourite to continue his winning run at Randwick.
At $4, Paris Dior is regarded as his biggest threat and co-trainer Paul Snowden says Saturday’s 1100 metre assignment will be an important test for the emerging filly, who pushed Man In The Mirror when a narrow second to the colt on debut at Warwick Farm before streeting her rivals to win at Canterbury last month.
“It’s not a walk in the park, there are some nice horses going around there on Saturday,” Snowden said on Sky Sports radio.
“She learned a lot from her first start to her second start and that was good to see.
“Hopefully she can keep improving into these better class of races, that’s what we need to do.”
Paris Dior has drawn barrier 10 for Saturday’s race and pointedly, champion jockey James Mcdonald has stuck with her after partnering her to the Canterbury win.
Snowden says there is no set plan for the filly, who has not been entered for either the Golden Slipper or the Blue Diamond Stakes, and her performance in the Millennium will be crucial in determining where she heads.
“She was a filly that was never nominated for either of those two races, so the connections are going to have to pay a late entry if we do get that far,” he said.
“She has been in work for quite a long time now but seems to be going the right way.
“These are all the things we need to weigh up at the end of the day and none of that will be possible unless we run well on Saturday.”
The stable will also saddle up Inglis Nursery placegetter Calgary Stampede in the sales restricted race and Snowden says he is forward enough to be competitive first-up from barrier five.