Slipper favourite has exhibition gallop

Golden Slipper favourite Cellsabeel has been given the thumbs up from jockey Tommy Berry after a strong exhibition gallop between races at Randwick.

Working over 800 metres with stablemate Etana, Cellsabeel sat off the mare before drawing level and edging her out over the final stages, running home her last 600 metres in 35.14 seconds.

“She gave me a nice feel. She was working with a really good partner who is quite sharp and in good form,” Berry said.

“I’m really happy with the filly. She is coming along well and she will benefit from the run, which is a good thing because it’s obviously not her grand final.”

Cellsabeel will have her next start in the Silver Slipper at Rosehill next Saturday as she bids to bolster her prize money for Golden Slipper qualification.

She was a short-priced favourite for the Inglis Millennium last weekend but when the race was pushed back four days due to the wet weather, trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace scratched her.

Stable representative Annabel Neasham said the delay put too much pressure on her autumn schedule.

“We were just about managing it OK with the original date but the Silver Slipper has always been the target and we didn’t want to run her 10 days before it,” Neasham said.

“That was just what she needed today and it will bring her on.”

The Group Two Silver Slipper (1100m) is at Rosehill on Saturday.