All the hype surrounded the Chris Waller-trained juvenile Little Surfer Girl who started the short-priced favourite in the opening race at Canterbury on Wednesday but it was master trainer Bart Cummings' Sunday Rose who charged into Golden Slipper calculations.Before they jumped in the Madura Earl Grey Tea Handicap (1100m), Sunday Rose was rated a $161 chance on Colin Tidy's Betchoice for the Slipper but she firmed dramatically in to $41 after her short neck win over the Gai Waterhouse-trained M

All the hype surrounded the Chris Waller-trained juvenile Little Surfer Girl who started the short-priced favourite in the opening race at Canterbury on Wednesday but it was master trainer Bart Cummings' Sunday Rose who charged into Golden Slipper calculations.

Before they jumped in the Madura Earl Grey Tea Handicap (1100m), Sunday Rose was rated a $161 chance on Colin Tidy's Betchoice for the Slipper but she firmed dramatically in to $41 after her short neck win over the Gai Waterhouse-trained Missonet.

Little Surfer Girl, a $1.5 million yearling purchase owned by Bob Ingham, started the $2.40 favourite and finished three lengths away third after getting a long way back early before striking trouble near the home turn.

The filly was bumped by Family Matters but jockey Corey Brown told stewards the check didn't cost his mount the race and that the filly simply lacked the speed to match it with her rivals on the day.

Sunday Joy started at $6 and Cummings was delighted with the run from the filly he bred and owns.

After the race, Cummings pounced on the opportunity to present a new gag to the media and had some advice for those interested in the breeding game.

"I know the owner, he's a good bloke I'm told," Cummings said.

"You don't sell fillies, you sell colts, that's an old breeding tradition.

"This horse lost a near-front plate somewhere near the turn and she still won, she was able to change strides in the straight and finish off very strongly."

As for the Golden Slipper, Sunday Rose is among the acceptances for the $3.5 million race at Rosehill in April and Cummings said he could go that way.

"I think we might take her there, it's just up the road," Cummings said.

Sunday Rose, who is by 2004 Newmarket Handicap winner Exceed And Excel and is out of Marscay mare Moon Cha Cha and was a pick-up ride for Kerrin McEvoy after Nash Rawiller was stood down from riding because of a back injury.

McEvoy parked Sunday Rose just behind leader Missonet ($3.80) until straightening when he asked the filly for something and she responded with a strong finish to overhaul the gallant Waterhouse runner.

Waller said he was pleased with the run from his filly.

"She did well and I think she'll make a very good three-year-old, we'll sit down later and discuss the Slipper and whether to press on with her," Waller said.

Meanwhile, trainer John Hawkes unearthed a smart one with O'Lonhro scoring an imposing debut victory in the Madura Pure Assam Tea Plate (1250m).

O'Lonhro's jockey Glyn Schofield wore a black armband in honour of the colt's part-owner George Young who died last week.

"It was great the horse could win today for George, it was very sad news," Hawkes said.

"I don't like getting carried away but this horse was very impressive."