Gai Waterhouse heads to next week's $3.5 million Golden Slipper brimming with confidence after Brightexpectations forced his way into the field with victory in the Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill.The winner of three Slippers with Ha Ha (2001), Dance Hero (2004) and Sebring (2008), Waterhouse said the colt was peaking at the right time.Brightexpectations was backed into $2.60 favouritism for Saturday's Pago Pago (1200m) and ran accordingly, leading from the outset and easing down near the line to be

Gai Waterhouse heads to next week's $3.5 million Golden Slipper brimming with confidence after Brightexpectations forced his way into the field with victory in the Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill.

The winner of three Slippers with Ha Ha (2001), Dance Hero (2004) and Sebring (2008), Waterhouse said the colt was peaking at the right time.

Brightexpectations was backed into $2.60 favouritism for Saturday's Pago Pago (1200m) and ran accordingly, leading from the outset and easing down near the line to beat Blackball ($21) by 3-1/4 lengths.

Hinchinbrook ($2.70) finished another 1-1/4 lengths third.

"He is by More Than Ready, the sire of the past two Golden Slipper winners," Waterhouse said.

"This horse has muscled up, every day he has become more masculine and is coming right at the right time."

Sebring was by More Than Ready as was last year's winner Phelan Ready.

Waterhouse missed out on having two runners in next week's race when More Strawberries ran second to Willow Creek in the Magic Night Stakes, the final qualifying race for fillies.

Hinchinbrook, who was ridden by Stathi Katsidis, was a $9 chance for the Slipper and his run didn't disappoint trainer Gerald Ryan.

Katsidis, rider of the Slipper favourite Military Rose, said he thought the colt needed blinkers.

"Stathi thinks so but I'd prefer not to but it might be the case," Ryan said.

"We'll just wait and see."

Katsidis said Hinchinbrook was travelling well but did not take the bends as he had hoped.

"The Slipper wouldn't be beyond him because his win at Randwick was too good," he said.

Darley will more than likely pay the $150,000 late entry fee for Blackball.

"He hit the line full of running and was much better than last time," jockey Kerrin McEvoy said.