STAY INSIDE IS ON HIS WAY TO THE GOLDEN SLIPPER

By Graham Potter | Saturday, February 13, 2021

The Richard and Michael Freedman trained Stay Inside dominated both the betting and the race itself when taking out the Pierro Plate at Randwick, winning by four lengths at a starting price $2.10.

This was only Stay Inside’s second start and his debut win one run earlier was achieved with much the same authority. That, coupled with today’s progressive win stamps Stay Inside as a lively Golden Slipper contender.

“He did catch me a little bit by surprise with that first win,” said co-trainer Michael Freedman. “Certainly, the way he went about it … I was a bit surprised.

“I had a bit more confidence coming into today off the back of his work on Tuesday. It seemed to me like he had really come on from that first up win … just mentally more than anything.

“Today, when he was out there all on his own, he seemed to run a pretty straight course and was doing everything right. With two-year-olds, that is a big thing.

“To keep the Slipper dream alive, I thought he probably not only had to win today but he would have to win well in my view … because obviously he is going to have to go to the next level again.

“The other nice thing about the win is that it looks like he handles the wet track alright, which gives us a few options as well.”

Jockey James McDonald added his praise for Stay Inside’s performance.

“He is an ‘old’ professional,” said McDonald. “I worked him Tuesday … he was the same. Very placid … and just went through his paces well.

“I thought he would come her today and, if he got a nice run in the race, he would do what he did on debut … and he did exactly that.

“He’ll get to the Slipper whether it is wet or dry and be very hard to beat.”