There was mixed news for the Golden Slipper candidates in the two qualifying races at Randwick on Saturday with Headway earning a start via the Sweet Embrace Stakes for fillies and Manhattan Rain taking out the male division, the Skyline Stakes.Headway firmed from $61 to $26 for the $3.5 million Golden Slipper (1200m) on April 4 but trainer Peter Moody said she was by no means certain to line up.Marquardt is almost certainly out of contention after a disappointing sixth in the Sweet Embrace as t

There was mixed news for the Golden Slipper candidates in the two qualifying races at Randwick on Saturday with Headway earning a start via the Sweet Embrace Stakes for fillies and Manhattan Rain taking out the male division, the Skyline Stakes.

Headway firmed from $61 to $26 for the $3.5 million Golden Slipper (1200m) on April 4 but trainer Peter Moody said she was by no means certain to line up.

Marquardt is almost certainly out of contention after a disappointing sixth in the Sweet Embrace as the $3.50 second favourite while Horizons eased from $16 to $41 in the Slipper after finishing third as the $3 popular elect.

Horizons' stablemate Manhattan Rain cemented his place in the Slipper field with Gai Waterhouse also training the $4.50 favourite More Joyous who will try to qualify through next Saturday's Reisling Stakes.

Moody said he was surprised with how well Headway had handled her preparation but refused to commit to a Slipper start.

"She will be having breakfast at Caulfield tomorrow and we will look at her over the next three weeks," Moody said.

"She keeps improving and has surprised me with how she has just lifted each time she has been asked.

"You never know, the Slipper wasn't really in the plans but she can't do much more."

Headway ($5.50) went to the line under hands and heels from Chris Munce to beat Lovemelikearock ($26) by a half-neck with early leader Horizons another three-quarters of a length away.

Manhattan Rain, an Encosta De Lago half-brother to supersire and former outstanding racehorse Redoute's Choice, firmed from $21 to $12 in TAB Sportsbet's Slipper betting after his dominant 1-3/4 length win as the $2.60 favourite over The Mikado ($7) with Romanus ($17) another half-length away third.

Tickets ($3) was an eye-catching fourth after getting buffeted at the back of the field and having to make his run from last on the turn.

"He is coming right at the right time," Waterhouse said of Manhattan Rain.

"He is a really exciting colt."

Nash Rawiller, dumped from More Joyous in favour of Darren Beadman, rode Manhattan Rain and was also impressed.

"He is a nice consolation prize for the Slipper," he said.

Trainer Tim Martin said The Mikado would more than likely back up in the Todman Stakes in an attempt to gain a Slipper start which will cost $150,000 as he was not among the original nominations.

"It's the Todman then the Slipper or it's the Todman then the paddock," he said.

Despite the uncertainty, The Mikado was a big mover for the Slipper from $81 to $26 while Common Interest, a winner at Flemington on Saturday, firmed from $81 to $31.