The first round of official Golden Slipper Stakes preparatory races begin at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday including the Widden Stakes 2018, betting tips and updated odds on the fillies’ feature found below.

The widely-drawn Secret Lady is a top three hope in Widden Stakes 2018 tipping this Saturday in Sydney. Photo: Steve Hart.

Set to run as Race 3 at 2:00pm (AEDT) on Expressway Stakes Day, there are 13 two-year-old fillies in the mix for this autumn’s Group 3 $150,000 Widden Stakes (1100m).

Four of the final acceptors are under $10 for the win in the latest Widden Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au including the Chris Waller-trained firming favourite Fiesta ($3.20).

It could be a big double for Waller too as he also saddles-up the odds-on fancy Performer in the race prior, the Group 3 $150,000 Canonbury Stakes (1100m) for colts and geldings.

Fiesta has a gun barrier four draw and Kerrin McEvoy aboard, the progressive daughter of I Am Invincible out to break her maiden status firs-tup on the back of a winning Rosehill trial over 900m on January 22.

The dangers looking at the Widden Stakes betting markets shape-up as the Gary Portelli-trained Golden Gift winner at the track Secret Lady ($6), the well-drawn Bold Arial ($6.50) in gate two and Into The Abyss ($7.50) in the outside alley looking to go back-to-back after a Boxing Day win at Randwick.

With the Group 1 $3.5 million Golden Slipper (1200m) on March 24 calling, the Widden Stakes is an important lead-up and makes a super betting race on the weekend.

There are also juicy Golden Slipper Stakes odds available on the fillies in this race before Saturday, including $26 for Fiesta, making now the time to head to Ladbrokes.com.au if you fancy the girls to get the job done next month.

1^st

#2 Fiesta ($3.20)

Anything can and often does happen in these early two-year-old races, but find it really hard to go past the Waller-trained favourite. She has her third career run here and the blinkers come on, which could prove the difference. McEvoy should be full of confidence on the back of riding stablemate Performer to victory in the Canonbury and give Waller another genuine Slipper contender. This filly gets the run of the race from the barrier (4) and her two lead-up trials have been outstanding. Beaten in the first heat by a class filly in Estijaab before her victor on January 22. Gimcrack Stakes placegetter on debut last September and runner-up against the boys at Randwick in October. Big ticks.

2^nd

#12 I’m So Sweet ($10)

Unraced daughter of I Am Invincible, whose two-year-old progeny are flying this season, prepared by Hawkes Racing. She has had three official trials ahead of her debut, including her third to Estijaab and Fiesta at Rosehill in early January. Also third to Fiesta in her latest hit-out and that form should stack-up at the races on the weekend. She jumps from the inside alley and will give them something to chase.

3^rd

#1 Secret Lady ($6)

Best-tried filly in the line-up for last year’s Golden Slipper winning trainer Portelli. This is her fifth career start and she’s a proven Rosehill winner. Scratched out of a Melbourne race last weekend because of a wide gate, but has to suffer another less-than-favourable draw here (12 of 13). If she overcomes the alley, can be right in the finish improving on the Magic Millions Classic fifth last month at the Gold Coast.

Back our insider Widden Stakes 2018 tips online now through Ladbrokes.com.au – home of the best autumn racing odds and offers.