Mafia Miss Aimed at Golden Slipper via Widden Stakes - 02-09-10

February 9 - For top-rated Australian filly Mafia Miss, Saturday's AUD$100,000 Widden Stakes at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney could be just the ticket to ensure she earns herself a berth in the coveted AUD $3.5 million Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1) on Easter Saturday at Rosehill Gardens.

The 1100m Widden Stakes will mark Mafia Miss' autumn campaign debut, and her trainer Grahame Begg has high hopes that the two-year-old filly can pull off a win to put herself in contention for the Golden Slipper, arguably one of the most prestigious races on the Australian horseracing calendar.

In her last outing in October last year, Mafia Miss managed a not-too-shabby second place behind Gybe. As such, Begg is hoping that the filly will prove beyond a doubt on Saturday that she has the potential to take on the best Aussie and international runners in the Golden Slipper Stakes on April 3.

'She trialled nicely the first time. And she only had that one trial before she then went to the races, where she certainly showed good improvement from her trial to the race,' said Begg. 'Unfortunately she drew the outside barrier that day and had to go well back to get some cover.

'I wouldn't think she'd be last if she draws okay on Saturday, but she will be ridden off the speed,' he concluded. Set to ride Mafia Miss on Saturday is top-rated jockey Corey Brown, who is certainly no stranger to the winner's circle or the Golden Slipper Stakes, so she should be in excellent hands.

As a testament to his riding skills, when Brown rode Solar Charge - who is trained by John O'Shea - in her debut in November last year, he racked up a superb victory. That incredible run ensured that local bookmakers installed Solar Charge as the $8 second favourite in the Golden Slipper Stakes.

On Saturday Mafia Miss will take on 9 other two-year-old fillies. Here is the final field for the AUD$100,000 Widden Stakes at Randwick Racecourse:

1. Catgotyourtongue
2. Cosmo Gal
3. Debut Clarry
4. Georgette Silk
5. Lady Off The Ranch
6. ?Mafia Miss
7. Military Blonde
8. Quidnunc
9. So Detached
10. Triple Crown