Written by Paul Vettise

Two more pieces of the G1 Golden Slipper S. puzzle were slotted into place on Saturday with traditional lead-ups at Randwick providing valuable insights into the possible outcome of the world’s richest 2-year-old event.

Godolphin may have been forced to withdraw Tassort (Brazen Beau) from the main event due to a foot issue, but they have ample back up as evidenced by the sizzling run of Tenley (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) to win the G2 Astus Australia Reisling S.

A race later, Yes Yes Yes (Rubick) turned in an outstanding effort off the back of a break and a change of stable to charge away with the G2 UNSW Todman S. and book his spot in the Golden Slipper.

Tenley’s win came at the expense of her stablemate and Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Exhilarates (Snitzel) and trainer James Cummings, who also has Microphone (Exceed And Excel) in Slipper contention, was delighted.

“That worked out pretty well,” he said. “Tenley has just improved out of sight. This time she’s been flying and she hasn’t let us down on any occasion.

“She’s a pretty serious filly and it’s wonderful to have her in our band.”

Tenley settled off the speed and once James McDonald asked the grey to sprint in the straight the response was impressive and she sailed past Exhilarates.

“She jumped well and travelled beautifully,” McDonald said. “We got a lovely cart into the race and she went bang.

“She’s a beauty. She’s got a great constitution and a great turn of foot.”

Cummings was equally happy with the performance of the runner-up.

“I thought Exhilarates was very, very good off a break and a while between races,” he said. “That was perfect for her.”

The winner was put aside after a debut victory on the Kensington track in November and successfully resumed last month before maintaining her perfect record on Saturday.

The Queenslander Vincere Volare (I Am Invincible) was in the hunt all the way and boxed on gamely for third ahead of Anaheed (Fastnet Rock), who did well after covering extra ground.

Godolphin’s rich pool of young talent was also evident at Flemington where La Tene (Helmet) sat on the speed and dug deep to win the G2 MSS Security Sires’ Produce S.

“All credit to Godolphin and James with what they are able to do with these 2-year-olds,” successful rider Dwayne Dunn said.

“She settled well outside the leader and she’s got a lot of tenacity. She fought really well. She’s had her fifth run in and she’s getting better and better.”

Definite Yes for Waller

Champion trainer Chris Waller has a live chance to halt the Godolphin run of success in feature 2-year-old events with Yes Yes Yes. He stepped out at Randwick off a spell and a switch from disqualified trainer Darren Weir so he can only improve with his Todman outing.

Waller hasn’t had many Golden Slipper contenders in the past, but he certainly has a leading chance now.

"It's good to be able to take over a horse like this with prize money in the bank for the Slipper," Waller said.

"We've had him for a number of weeks now. We picked out this race and full credit to the team where he has come from, they'd done a good job educating him well."

Waller said he would just keep Yes Yes Yes ticking over in the next couple of weeks.

"I don't have to make him run faster," he said. "I think he'll come through the race pretty well the way the race was run."

Bellevue Hill (Pierro) went boldly in front and kicked hard for second with Dubious (Not A Single Doubt) claiming third.

Following Tassort’s withdrawal, Time To Reign (Time For War) was elevated to the Slipper favouritism but it was short-lived after he finished in sixth of the eight runners.

"I'm as stunned as anyone," trainer Gary Portelli said.

The colt's jockey Jason Collett said Time To Reign got left flat-footed when the pressure went on. "He just didn't have the turn of foot when they sprinted," Collett said.