The 2011 Pago Pago Stakes is one of the most anticipated races on the Rosehill Guineas Day programme this Saturday March 26, the second race on the card offering a ballot exemption into the Golden Slipper field.

The $175,000 Group 2 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) has drawn 11 nominees, many vying for the guaranteed start in the $3.5 million Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday April 2 on offer for the winner.

Also on the Rosehill race-card this Saturday is the $175,000 Group 2 Magic Night Stakes (1200m) where fillies seeking a spot in the Golden Slipper will face off.

Leading the early entries for the Pago Pago Stakes is the Peter Moody-trained Golden Archer.

Although not on the Golden Slipper path, Moody’s consistent colt is number one on the Pago Pago ballot having won five of his six career starts to date.

His only defeat was when Golden Archer ran third to Golden Slipper favourite Sepoy in the Blue Diamond Preview back in January.

After that the son of Rock Of Gibraltar racked up three consecutive black-type wins including his most recent victory in the Listed St Albans Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley last Friday night by an easy 4 ¼ lengths.

Another last-start stakes winner nominated for the Pago Pago Stakes on Saturday is Canny Lad gelding You’re Canny.

In a massive upset, the Gratz Vella-trained You’re Canny defeated the previously unbeaten Karuta Queen in the Listed Black Opal Stakes (1200m) at Canberra on Sunday March 13.

The other two-year-olds in the market for the Golden Slipper who have a last chance to make the final cut in the Pago Pago Stakes are Hot Snitzel ($51 Luxbet), Boys On Tour ($71 Luxbet), Exceed And Exalt ($151 Luxbet), Flying Zero ($201 Luxbet), Written Consent ($301 Luxbet), Rock Monster ($301 Luxbet), Sandhurst ($301 Luxbet) and Salade ($301).

The 2011 Pago Pago Stakes final field of acceptors and barriers will be out tomorrow and published right here at Races.com.au so bookmark us.

Check out the latest Golden Slipper 2011 Field & Odds Comparison by clicking on the link and then head over to Luxbet to open your online betting account with Australian punters’ favourite bookie before Saturday to get the best prices on your Rosehill race selections.

2011 Pago Pago Stakes Nominations

#	Horse	Trainer	Ballot	Weight (kg)
1	GOLDEN ARCHER	Peter G Moody	1	55.5
2	YOU’RE CANNY	Gratz Vella	2	55.5
3	HOT SNITZEL	Gerald Ryan	3	55.5
4	EXCEED AND EXALT	Guy Walter	4	55.5
5	WRITTEN CONSENT	Grahame Begg	5	55.5
6	FLYING ZERO	Chris Waller	6	55.5
7	BOYS ON TOUR	John P Thompson	7	55.5
8	ROCK MONSTER	Gerald Ryan	8	55.5
9	SANDHURST	Anthony Cummings	9	55.5
10	SALADE	Bart Cummings	10	55.5
11	FULL BLAST	Jason Coyle	11	55.5