Trainer Gary Portelli is banking on a good barrier draw to give Delago Bolt even half a chance in Saturday's Golden Slipper.While trying not to be pessimistic, Portelli says he is realistic about the Black Opal winner finishing in the money.The make-up of the 16-horse field will be decided on Tuesday morning with the barriers to be drawn at midday.Betting on this year's Slipper has been dominated for weeks by More Joyous and Real Saga with Reward For Effort and Rostova in the mix following their

Trainer Gary Portelli is banking on a good barrier draw to give Delago Bolt even half a chance in Saturday's Golden Slipper.

While trying not to be pessimistic, Portelli says he is realistic about the Black Opal winner finishing in the money.

The make-up of the 16-horse field will be decided on Tuesday morning with the barriers to be drawn at midday.

Betting on this year's Slipper has been dominated for weeks by More Joyous and Real Saga with Reward For Effort and Rostova in the mix following their one-two finish in a barrier trial on Friday.

"A week ago I thought we were running for third," Portelli said.

"After watching the two Melbourne horses Rostova and Reward For Effort trial on Friday, maybe now everyone is racing for fifth.

"I'm not a pessimist but I am a realist.

"Barrier draws are always important and if Delago Bolt drew well and the favourites drew poorly, maybe we are back in with a chance.

"But I don't think even a bad barrier would worry Real Saga.

"If he draws wide he can overcome it and he already looks too strong.

"We'll be there trying - and hoping."

A $21 chance ahead of the barrier draw, Delago Bolt pleased his trainer with his fifth in a 1200 metre trial on Friday against older horses.

Hot Danish, who runs in Saturday's Queen Of The Turf, won the heat from George Ryder contenders Light Fantastic and Alamosa.

Portelli could conceivably have two Slipper runners with Romanus in the shadows if something happens to any horse above him in the order.

Patinack Farm confirmed on Monday it wold have two runners with the $150,000 late entry fee paid to put Marquardt in the field and So Anyway to take her place.

Real Saga, who is prepared by the Hawkes partnership of Michael, Wayne and their Hall Of Fame trainer father John, has been beaten just once when second to Reward For Effort in the Blue Diamond Stakes.

Reward For Effort will be joined by his Peter Moody-trained stablemate Headway who qualified with her Sweet Embrace victory.

Chris Munce rode Headway in the Sweet Embrace but will stick with Delago Bolt in the Slipper.

Glen Boss snared the ride on Headway after Luke Nolen opted to stick with Reward For Effort.

More Joyous and Real Saga were at $3.50 with TAB Sportsbet before the barrier draw with Rostova $8 and Reward For Effort a $10 chance.