Despite two consecutive defeats, Wodeton still leads the Golden Slipper market, but trainer Chris Waller is making tactical changes ahead of Saturday’s race at Rosehill.

Wodeton will wear winkers for the first time, and Waller has instructed his jockey to ride the colt with more patience after his last start in the Todman Stakes, where he finished second after racing close to the speed.

Waller believes a quieter ride will help Wodeton conserve his energy for a stronger finishing burst.

“When he needed to quicken, it just wasn’t there,” Waller said.

“Now that he has had three runs, we’ve learned he’s better suited being ridden with a little more restraint early on. If we let him settle, he’ll hit the line much stronger.

“We’ve trialed this approach in training, and he has responded well.”

The decision to add winkers was made to sharpen Wodeton’s focus late in the race, while avoiding the over-excitement that blinkers might cause.

“It’s mainly to help him concentrate in the final stages,” Waller explained.

“We want him relaxed early, which is why winkers are a better option. Then, in the last 400m, they should help him focus when it matters most.”

Meanwhile, trainer Bjorn Baker is keeping things straightforward with his filly Within The Law, who has won three of her four starts, including an eye-catching victory in the Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m).

She has drawn barrier 13, but Baker isn’t concerned, believing her relaxed attitude will allow jockey Jason Collett to position her comfortably.

“I trained O’Ole for the Magic Millions, and she was lightning quick. Within The Law is completely different—she’s very laid-back,” Baker said.

“She’s calm in her work and only exerts herself when needed, which is a great trait in a high-pressure race like the Slipper.”

Another contender hoping to cause an upset is Quietly Arrogant, trained by Peter Snowden. He was a luckless third in the Skyline Stakes (1200m), finishing behind unbeaten colt Rivellino and Pago Pago Stakes winner Skyhook.

A son of Capitalist, the 2016 Golden Slipper winner, Quietly Arrogant heads into the race after a three-week break and has impressed in recent workouts.

“He runs best when he’s fresh,” Snowden said.

“He won first-up at the Gold Coast, then had a break before the Magic Millions and ran a huge race off that layoff.

“He’s got a strong finishing burst, which could be a big asset in what looks to be a competitive field.”