Racing
Return bout for Hidrix, Confederation
Canonbury Stakes quinella continue Slipper build-up this weekend
Chris Waller's Canonbury Stakes quinella of Hidrix and Confederation will again clash this weekend with the pair to continue their Golden Slipper build-up in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes at Rosehill.
Hidrix defeated his stablemate by 1-3/4 lengths in the 1100-metre Canonbury, when both were on debut, but Waller is optimistic Confederation can narrow that gap in Saturday's $300,000 Group 2.
"Hidrix has come on nicely. The other horse has got to harness that early speed that he had," Waller said.
"A little gear change with him and he'll be right. He could turn the tables if he does things right."
The gear change Waller has in mind for Confederation, a son of Wootton Bassett who was a $650,000 Magic Millions yearling, is a piece of equipment that connects the reins and gives the jockey more control.
"It's called an Irish martingale," Waller said.
"We've been using them a bit more. They stop them from throwing their head."
Hidrix, a $1.7 million Inglis Easter buy who is a son of Extreme Choice, and Confederation are among 16 Silver Slipper entries, joined by Canonbury third placegetter Eviction Notice, one-time Golden Slipper favourite Incognito and Gimcrack Stakes winner Shiki.
The Silver Slipper Stakes will be just the second start for Waller's pair and while Golden Slipper winners have traditionally been seen more often a month out from the big race, Waller is happy with his model with juveniles.
"It just seems to work for us," he said.
"You get a month out from the Slipper and you think you've got nothing and, all of a sudden, you've got two or three."
One horse not nominated this weekend but who is high up in Golden Slipper betting despite not having been to the races is Central Europe, who Waller said may debut in next weekend's $300,000 Group 2 Skyline Stakes at Randwick.
Waller said he is still a chance to get to the Golden Slipper, but is treading a tight timeline.
"He would only get there through running in the Pago Pago second-up," he said.
The Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes, which Shinzo won the start before the Golden Slipper, will be run at Rosehill on March 14.
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