EI hits Slipper entries

THE worrying impact of equine influenza on two-year-olds was realised for the first time yesterday after the number of first acceptances for the Golden Slipper plummeted 50 per cent.

The STC attracted just 765 acceptances from 2129 nominations taken last July. Last year, there were 2216 nominations with 1537 first acceptances taken.
STC racing manager John Nicholson said the huge drop was half-expected given the havoc EI caused for the NSW and Queensland racing industries during the second half of 2007.
"Horses never got the chance to be broken in late last year let alone make the paddock, so a lot of horses wouldn't have been ready for the Slipper this year," Nicholson said.
"But I do know it's still going to take a good horse with ability to win the race."
Trainer Gai Waterhouse's $2 million colt Seventh Reason was paid up while Mount Olympus, last year's Easter sale-topper at $3 million, was a surprise omission.