Trainer Gerald Ryan has revealed that undefeated filly Believe Yourself will be positioned at the tail of the field in the 2014 Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens this weekend.
Believe Yourself will defend her unbeaten record in the 2014 Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Photo by: Steve Hart
Believe Yourself was positioned just behind the leaders when she made her racing debut with a win in the Dancer Handicap (1000m) at Kembla Grange on December 14 last year, but came from the tail of the field to win the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on March 15.
Ryan told Racing Ahead that barrier sixteen was not an ideal barrier draw for Believe Yourself, but remains confident that jockey Brenton Avdulla can get the daughter of Sebring in a good position and give her the chance to run home strongly in the final stages of the race.
“It’s not good, but that is Avdulla’s problem – he picked it out,” Ryan said of the Golden Slipper barrier draw.
“There is good speed and the speed is drawn around her, so she will go back.
“She will go back and hope they overdo it up front to give her a chance to hit the line.
“Even though she was second last at the turn she wasn’t too far off them, but they didn’t go too quick up front either.
“She has come off a slow speed, given them a start and still come over the top of them and that gives you a bit of credit.”
Ryan is confident that Believe Yourself is in good condition heading into the 2014 Golden Slipper this weekend, but admits that it is hard to gauge the form of the two-year-old filly, who has never performed strongly during trackwork.
The veteran trainer said that Believe Yourself had worked ‘awfully’ in the lead-up to the Group 1 event, but he expects the talented juvenile to produce her best form under racing conditions on Saturday.
“She seems alright, it’s hard to get a line on her because she is not a good track worker.
“She has eaten her feed, is bright and well and Damien Thornton said that she has improved since the Sweet Embrace.
“All you can do is look after her and hope she turns up and gets a bit of luck from the draw.
“She will run good, I’m not saying that she will win the race, but she has been in good form and she is in fine fettle.”
Believe Yourself is currently available at 2014 Golden Slipper odds of $41; with Earthquake ($2.25) remaining a clear favourite from market mover Mossfun ($6).
