The jostling for positions in the Golden Slipper is all but over with the final field of 16 for the world's richest race for two-year-olds to be declared on Tuesday.The deadline for late entries is Monday morning with the Sydney Turf Club expected to collect $600,000 from four $150,000 payments.The late entry is for those horses not originally nominated as yearlings for Saturday's $3.5 million race at Rosehill.The Hong Kong owner of Masquerader has already paid up while the Darley-owned Blackbal
The jostling for positions in the Golden Slipper is all but over with the final field of 16 for the world's richest race for two-year-olds to be declared on Tuesday.
The deadline for late entries is Monday morning with the Sydney Turf Club expected to collect $600,000 from four $150,000 payments.
The late entry is for those horses not originally nominated as yearlings for Saturday's $3.5 million race at Rosehill.
The Hong Kong owner of Masquerader has already paid up while the Darley-owned Blackball, the Black Opal Stakes winner Decision Time and Melbourne filly Crystal Lily are the others who have earned their way to the Slipper.
Crystal Lily's owner David Moodie said he would resist paying up for Saturday's Magic Night Stakes winner Willow Creek.
"I want to run in the race, not buy the place," Moodie said.
Unbeaten Queensland filly Military Rose remains the Golden Slipper favourite with Brightexpectations the big mover following his dominant qualifying win in the Pago Pago Stakes.
He will be three time Slipper winning trainer Gai Waterhouse's only runner this year, but it may be all she needs.
"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."
Phelan Ready won last year's Slipper while the Waterhouse-trained Sebring took the honours in 2008.
Both Slipper were run on heavy tracks which suits the progeny of More Than Ready and there with rain predicted for much of the week, the conditions may well be repeated.
Hinchinbrook, who ran third to Brightexpectations, is likely to race in blinkers after seeming to lose concentration in Saturday's race.
Two former Slipper favourites, Solar Charged and Beneteau, are reported to be back to their best after being beaten at their past starts.
"I'm very happy with Solar Charged," trainer John O'Shea said.
"She's done everything right."
Trainer Paul Messara was equally happy with Beneteau who was given a solid hitout in an unofficial trial at the family property in the Hunter Valley last week.
Another former favourite, Chance Bye, has not raced since she cemented a start with victory in the Silver Slipper on February 27.
She has had two public gallops since, her most recent at Kembla Grange last Sunday where she pleased her trained Michael Tubman and jockey Kathy O'Hara.
Military Rose was at $3.40 with TAB Sportsbet on Sunday ahead of Crystal Lily ($6.50), Bright Expectations ($7.50), Chance Bye and Solar Charged ($10) and Masquerader and Beneteau at $13.
The all important barrier draw will take place in Sydney's Martin Place at midday on Tuesday.