A form reference behind Golden Slipper favorite and Sydney’s leading two-year-old Wodeton is providing connections of Sanctified with confidence ahead of the $2 million Inglis Millennium.

The colt finished third to Wodeton on debut at Rosehill last month, and while the margin was seven lengths, co-trainer Sterling Alexiou believes the effort was respectable given the circumstances.

“He comes out of the premier two-year-old form line at this stage, albeit he was beaten a significant margin,” Alexiou said.

“But he did a lot wrong at his first start. He didn’t race in an easy position outside the leader and he had another one three-deep outside him making him work for a fair way.

“It wasn’t an ideal first run for him but he has come through it well.”

Winkers will be applied on Saturday, the same gear adjustment stablemate Blitzburg benefited from before claiming last weekend’s Canonbury Stakes.

Sanctified has drawn an awkward barrier in 13, but the wide draws of key rivals Rivellino (16), Within The Law (18), and Open Secret (19) have left the race open.

As a result, Blue Diamond Preview runner-up Price Tag (barrier 11) has firmed as the $3.40 favorite, and Alexiou acknowledges she is the one to beat.

“On times and figures, the filly from Melbourne looks the logical favorite,” he said.

“The application of headgear will help our horse a lot. Obviously, the draw is another tricky equation for him, he’s going to have to rely on a bit of luck getting in somewhere and blending into the race at the right time, but he’s a nice enough horse with a nice future.”

Only five of the 16 runners and three emergencies are currently at single-figure odds for the Inglis Millennium (1100m), with Sanctified sitting at $51 in the wagering apps.

Castelvecchio (2019) holds the record as the longest-priced winner of the race at $21, according to online betting companies.