Grant Allard’s Gosford galloper Napayshini is one of a number of youngsters out to stake their claims for the coveted Golden Slipper 2013 this Saturday at Rosehill Gardens in the $100,000 Listed Canonbury Stakes (1100m).

One of five black type features on the Sydney card this weekend the Canonbury Stakes drew 12 nominations one of which is Ready’s Image colt Napayshini who was a $57,500 yearling purchase.

After a good barrier trial win at Wyong last November Allard’s two-year-old debuted at Warwick Farm on December 1 and finished a very close second to All The Talk in the Warwick Farm Plate (1000m).

They step out for the first time since then this Saturday in the Canonbury which will give Allard, and the punters, an idea of whether they will make a genuine chance in the $3.5 million Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) back at the track on April 6.

Napayshini is not currently nominated for the Golden Slipper 2013 but connections may be prompted to pay the hefty $150,000 late entry fee to get them into the world’s richest juveniles’ race should they win on Saturday and continue to progress between now and then.

“We were all set to run him in the Inglis races but then we decided to go on a different path,” Allard said.

“He will run in the traditional races towards the Slipper. He has to earn his way there and earn the right to be there.”

Allard, who was trained under the likes of John Hawkes and Peter Snowden, took confidence of a nice run on Saturday from Napayshini after their smart track gallop at Gosford on Sunday.

“I took him out for a gallop on raceday just to get him used to the atmosphere again,” he said.

“He galloped on his own with my apprentice Jake Hull aboard and did a bit of work but there’s plenty of improvement in him.”

He also believes he knows how to spot a genuine juvenile when he sees one having helped prepare a number of top juveniles over the years including Hawkes’ 2007 Golden Slipper winner Forensics.

“I looked after Lonhro and Viscount when I was there,” Allard said.

“I was also working there when Forensics won the Slipper so I have a good idea of what it takes to get a horse there.”

Despite not being nominated Napayshini still features in the futures Golden Slipper odds at bookies around the country paying around $26 in markets led by the undefeated Not A Single Doubt filly Villa Verde ($7).

All but two of the 12 Canonbury Stakes nominees have a Golden Slipper assignment this Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, the only one shorter than Napayshini in the ante-post markets being the Gai Waterhouse-trained Whittington.

The Tale Of The Cat colt enjoyed a big three length win on debut at Randwick in the Listed NSW Thoroughbred Breeders Plate (1000m) last October and has had two subsequent barrier trial wins at the track leading up to their second run this weekend.

Having made a big impression in the Breeders Plate and shown their class on February 1 with their two length trial win over 1050m Whittington is well liked for the Golden Slipper 2013 occupying the fourth line of betting at $15.

The 2013 Canonbury Stakes field and barriers are due for release on Wednesday.

Our preferred online bookie bookmaker.com.au meanwhile are due to open their Golden Slipper betting markets shortly so ensure you’re ready to bet with the best by signing up with them today!

2013 Canonbury Stakes Nominations

Rosehill Gardens – 16/02/2013

#	Horse	Trainer
1	ANGUS ROCK	Tim Martin
2	CRITERION (NZ)	David Payne
3	DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE	David Payne
4	FLAK JACKET	Grahame Begg
5	GALEFORCE TEN	Gerald Ryan
6	INFOMERTIAL	John P Thompson
7	LOUTREL	Gary Portelli
8	NAPAYSHINI	Grant Allard
9	NEVER CAN TELL	Anthony Cummings
10	REGIMENTAL PRIDE	David Payne
11	WHITTINGTON	Gai Waterhouse
12	WOW FACTOR	Gerald Ryan