David Payne almost had the Golden Rose in his grasp two years ago and this time round the Rosehill trainer will rely on the jockey who spoilt the party.Hugh Bowman, who steered Duporth to a short head victory over Stripper in 2008, will ride the Payne-trained Masquerader in Saturday's $1 million race.Masquerader is one of the least experienced runners, going into the Group One at just his fourth start.But Payne is confident the ground work has been done and the colt will have a strong workout on
David Payne almost had the Golden Rose in his grasp two years ago and this time round the Rosehill trainer will rely on the jockey who spoilt the party.
Hugh Bowman, who steered Duporth to a short head victory over Stripper in 2008, will ride the Payne-trained Masquerader in Saturday's $1 million race.
Masquerader is one of the least experienced runners, going into the Group One at just his fourth start.
But Payne is confident the ground work has been done and the colt will have a strong workout on Tuesday morning.
"Hugh is coming out to Rosehill to ride him tomorrow in his gallop," Payne said.
"The horse has done a lot of pace work, he's hard fit so there are no worries on that score.
"He can run on any kind of going so that won't matter either.
"We'd just like to get a good barrier."
Final acceptances will be taken on Tuesday morning with Masquerader and Melbourne raider Toorak Toff sharing favouritism ahead of the declaration of the field.
They were at $4.40 on Monday with TAB Sportsbet ahead of the Gai Waterhouse-trained Squamosa at $6 and Crystal Lily at $8.
Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily is also entered for the McNeil Stakes at Caulfield with owner David Moodie to consult with his trainers Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra before a decision is made on where she starts.
Moodie's concern is the possibility of a rain-affected track in Sydney for the filly who was beaten by Panipique when she resumed last Saturday week.
The Peter Moody-trained Panipique was a $13 chance ahead of Saturday's Up And Coming Stakes winner Blackball at $15 and Slipper runner-up Decision Time at $17.
Masquerader was among the favoured runners for the Golden Slipper in April but suffered a back muscle injury just hours before acceptances were taken.
Stripper suffered a similar fate when ruled out of the Slipper with a hoof abscess on the eve of the race.
Masquerader had a good break to get over the problem and came back to racing with a slashing half-length second to Squamosa in the Run To The Rose, giving the winner five kilograms.
"Back at level weights, we'll see what happens," Payne said.