Anthony Cummings is adamant She’s Extreme has the right constitution to relish a seven-day back-up into the $5 million Golden Slipper after booking her spot in the field with victory in the Magic Night Stakes.
By Extreme Choice, the sire of last year’s Slipper winner Stay Inside, She’s Extreme ($3.50 fav) had been luckless in her first two starts but got the breaks at Rosehill on Saturday, peeling to the outside and sweeping down the centre of the track to defeat Magic Carpet ($11) by 1-1/2 lengths.
Swift Sweet ($6.50) was another two lengths away third.
Cummings admitted he had given up on She’s Extreme as a 2022 Golden Slipper prospect when she was beaten in the Sweet Embrace Stakes as he didn’t think he would have another chance to qualify her.
But the filly has coped so well with her racing, it has given Cummings confidence she can tackle the world’s richest juvenile race on a quick back-up.
“A month ago, I didn’t think that that would suit. But she has surprised me every time with the way she has bounced back from each run,” Cummings said.
“After her last run, I had given up hope of being in the Slipper at all, but she came back and talked me into going today and I’m expecting she will do exactly the same (this week).”
A $275,000 Inglis Easter yearling, She’s Extreme was partnered by Tommy Berry, who will be chasing back-to-back wins in the Golden Slipper.
While Berry is expected to ride either Russian Conquest or Black Opal Stakes contender Metallicity in the feature, he says She’s Extreme has given him food for thought.
“I thought I had my ride, but she was very impressive today,” Berry said.
“This track is very heavy. I can’t see it drying out too much towards next week, especially with a bit of rain coming.
“She has a nice bit of timing about her.”
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will get their chance at another Slipper after Rise Of The Masses ($7) landed a fighting victory in the Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) to secure his spot.
The Tulloch Lodge colt kicked strongly for Tim Clark to deny Sweet Ride ($4) by a half-length with Magic ($2.60 fav) unsuited but the tempo, finishing third.
Winning jockey Tim Clark believes Rise Of The Masses still has more to offer and can make his presence felt next Saturday.
“I think they are a very even bunch so (he) probably doesn’t have to improve a lot,” Clark said.
“Gai has won plenty of them, so she knows what she is doing. I won’t question her. Hopefully he turns up in good order next week.”
Sweet Ride’s placing should vault him into the Golden Slipper field and while Magic will miss out, he is expected to head towards the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).