Reputations go on line in Silver Slipper

Co-trainer Paul Snowden insists there is just as much at stake for Breeders’ Plate winner Khan as there will be for She Will Reign when the high-profile Golden Slipper candidates clash for the first time.

Just as she does in pre-post betting on the Golden Slipper, She Will Reign holds a call as favourite over Khan in the $250,000 Silver Slipper Stakes at Rosehill.

She Will Reign needs to win on Saturday to secure enough prize money to confirm her place in next month’s Golden Slipper field.

But Snowden said the prospect of a lucrative stud career when Khan finishes racing ensures every race counts for the chestnut.

“He’s had two trials and he’s heading towards a Golden Slipper but you’ve got make every post a winner because he’s a colt,” Snowden said.

“He’s got to run well each and every time he steps up.”

Khan came from midfield to win the Breeders’ Plate at Randwick in October and Snowden said that racing pattern was unlikely to change.

“He’s not a speed horse by any means,” Snowden said.

What will be different in the Silver Slipper will be Khan’s jockey with Kerrin McEvoy taking over from Blake Shinn who is serving a suspension.

Final field markets have Khan as the main danger to She Will Reign who is odds-on after two wins and an eye-popping barrier trial win last week.

“Obviously we’re meeting a very fit filly here … she’s wound right up from that trial,” Snowden said.

“It’s a hot race and it’s going to be a big tempo so they will run along hard and that will suit our horse.”

Khan has drawn the widest of the seven runners to stand their ground at acceptance time on Wednesday with She Will Reign to launch from gate five.

Veranillo has drawn directly inside She Will Reign and the impressive Godolphin youngster is the only other runner marked under double figures as a $6 chance.

The colt will be reunited with Sydney premiership-leading jockey Brenton Avdulla in the absence of injured stable rider James Doyle.

Avdulla had the ride when Veranillo won his first start at Rosehill in November before Doyle was on board when the colt resumed to win the Lonhro Plate earlier this month.