Trainer Chris Waller is hoping to have a genuine contender as he chases a maiden Golden Slipper Stakes success this autumn saddling-up Zousain in the traditional lead-up in Sydney on Saturday.

Chris Waller has a number of 2018 Golden Slipper Stakes hopefuls racing on Chipping Norton Stakes Day at Randwick on Saturday. Photo: Daniel Costello.

The major focus for the Waller stable at Royal Randwick on the weekend is of course the first-up run by ace mare Winx who chases a record 16^th Group 1 victory in the Chipping Norton Stakes.

Waller has a host of other nice horses also racing across the Chipping Norton Stakes Day card including his untapped two-year-old Zousain in the Group 2 $200,000 Skyline Stakes (1200m).

Featuring a small field of just seven colts and geldings, the Skyline Stakes 2018 is a key lead-up to the iconic Group 1 $3.5 million Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 24.

Waller is a master trainer, but so far success in the world’s richest race for two-year-olds has eluded him.

Hoping to change that this Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival the top horseman has a big opinion of well-bred Zoustar colt Zousain who jumps from barrier six second-up on Saturday with Hugh Bowman in the saddle.

Bowman replaces Kerrin McEvoy, who rides rival Spin for Peter & Paul Snowden, aboard the up-and-comer who chases a second Randwick win after success on debut over 1000m from February 7.

“I love his attitude, there is so much of dad in him it’s not funny. He continues to improve. He walks back after his gallops very relaxed, which I think is a really good sign in a racehorse,” Waller told Racing NSW this week.

“He is a very professional horse but Saturday will tell us if he is a genuine Golden Slipper contender at his third race start or we do like dad and go to Queensland.”

The colt’s sire Zoustar went to Brisbane during the winter of 2013 winning a Group 2 before his second to romantic Touch in that year’s Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) over a mile.

Zoustar also won three other races that spring including the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) in Sydney and Flemington’s Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) down the famous Flemington straight.

The latest Skyline Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au meanwhile feature five single-figure fancies including the $2.10 favourite Santos for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott.

Zousain meanwhile is listed at a juicy price in Skyline Stakes betting of $11 and is a $26 shot in the latest Golden Slipper Stakes odds online.

Waller’s other Slipper hopeful running on the weekend is Fiesta in the Group 2 $200,000 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) for the fillies.

The in-form daughter of I Am Invincible broke her maiden status first-up on February 3 at Rosehill in the Group 3 Widden Stakes (1100m) and is the $4.80 co-favourite with Satin Slipper to salute again on Saturday.

“She is a natural as well and has the points on the board,” Waller said of Fiesta.

“It was a pretty dominant win after being in a pinball machine up the straight.

“That’s pretty gusty for a young filly to come out on top like that and her work has been good. I’d just like to see her settle a touch better in the blinkers.

“She’s a foolproof horse and she’ll be there in three weeks’ time.”

Fiesta is equal with stablemate Zousain in futures Golden Slipper odds quoted at $26.

To back the Waller Randwick runners on Saturday and to access the best all-in Golden Slipper 2018 betting markets head to Ladbrokes.com.au now.