Golden Slipper favourite Sepoy will make his Sydney debut a fortnight earlier than expected with the glamour colt set to run at Rosehill on Saturday.The winner of his four starts including the Group One Blue Diamond Stakes at his most recent outing, Sepoy is a confirmed runner in the Todman Slipper Trial instead of going into the $3.5 million Golden Slipper without the benefit of a Sydney lead-up.Trainer Peter Snowden switched plans after Sepoy galloped impressively at Warwick Farm on Tuesday mo
Golden Slipper favourite Sepoy will make his Sydney debut a fortnight earlier than expected with the glamour colt set to run at Rosehill on Saturday.
The winner of his four starts including the Group One Blue Diamond Stakes at his most recent outing, Sepoy is a confirmed runner in the Todman Slipper Trial instead of going into the $3.5 million Golden Slipper without the benefit of a Sydney lead-up.
Trainer Peter Snowden switched plans after Sepoy galloped impressively at Warwick Farm on Tuesday morning.
"There's nothing to say I shouldn't be running him and I think five weeks from the Blue Diamond to the Golden Slipper is too long for a colt that eats as well as he does," Snowden told Sky Sports radio.
Sepoy has had a stranglehold on the top end of Golden Slipper betting since he thrashed his Blue Diamond rivals at Caulfield last month.
He firmed again - into $2 - when Magic Millions winner Karuta Queen was beaten in the Black Opal Stakes at Canberra on Sunday.
Sepoy was sent to Sydney after his Blue Diamond triumph and spent four days at Darley's spare-no-expense thoroughbred farm on Sydney's western outskirts.
He returned to stable life at Warwick Farm a week ago with Tuesday's gallop his most serious since the Diamond.
Snowden said the youngster relished being worked the clockwise direction.
"I've got to say going this (Sydney) way he looks more natural," he said.
"He doesn't seem to get off stride at all."
Sepoy's presence sets up an intriguing Todman clash with two other unbeaten colts - Foxwedge and Smart Missile.
Both horses galloped on a slightly rain-affected track at Randwick on Tuesday morning to round off their preparations.
Smart Missile's work was the more crucial of the pair after the Breeders' Plate winner suffered a setback in the early stages of his preparation.
"Two weeks ago he was finishing off his gallop with his mate but this morning he beat him by six lengths," trainer Anthony Cummings said.
"He's ready to race and in a normal race he is ready to win."
But Cummings says the presence of Sepoy - and to a lesser extent Foxwedge - has changed his first-up expectations for Smart Missile.
"Sepoy will obviously be tough to get past but I'm hoping my horse can get close enough so the improvement he will take out of the run will be enough for him to beat Sepoy next time," he said.
Glen Boss has been booked to ride Smart Missile on Saturday with Cummings saying the Melbourne-based rider will also be aboard in the Golden Slipper.
Smart Missile is a $21 Golden Slipper chance while the John O'Shea-trained Foxwedge, with two wins from two starts, occupies the third line of betting at $9.
Satin Shoes, who is second favourite for the Golden Slipper at $7.50, will contest the Reisling Slipper trial on Saturday.