Five-year-old Alamosa gelding Second Slip (NZ) has come through his runner-up finish in the Listed Balaklava Cup (1600m) and trainer Will Clarken will now have a throw at the stumps in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) on Saturday week.
The Kiwi import has proved a revelation since joining the in-form South Australian stable, winning five of his eight starts from his new quarters, including the Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes (1400m) two starts ago.
“He has come through the Balaklava Cup run fantastically,” Clarken said.
“He had a good, strong jumpout on Tuesday morning. At this stage I am going to roll the dice and run him in the Toorak. He is a horse that is in career best form and I think he deserves his chance in a big handicap.”
Previously prepared by Kevin Gray, Second Slip won two of his 12 starts in New Zealand before attracting the attention of Melbourne-based bloodstock agent Lenny Russo, who brokered a deal that saw him join Clarken.
