Crystal Lily at full pelt down the straight.
Source: HWT Image Library

GOLDEN Slipper winner Crystal Lily will either not win another race or add more Group 1s to her CV.

If the past decade is any guide, Crystal Lily, who resumes in tomorrow’s Listed W.J.Adams Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield, will bow out of racing after one of those two extremes.

Of the past 10 Golden Slipper winners, five – Sebring, Stratum, Polar Success, Calaway Gal and, so far, Phelan Ready – never won again, while Forensics, Miss Finland, Dance Hero, Ha Ha and Belle Du Jour went on to more Group 1 glory.

Where last year’s Slipper winner fits will be clearer after tomorrow.

Owner-breeder David Moodie conceded it would be a crucial autumn campaign for Crystal Lily, the $4.40 favourite with TAB Sportsbet, who has been beaten at both starts since winning the Slipper.

“I suspect she will win races, but I’m not overly confident she can win Group 1 races,” Moodie said.

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“But if she can’t, who cares? Every time I get depressed I look at the (Slipper) trophy.”

Moodie said most Slipper winners needed luck in running.

“To win a Golden Slipper, 11 out of 10 boxes have to be ticked. The barrier one proved to be a major advantage to us,” he said.

“There are always half a dozen hard-luck stories.

“There is a lottery element to the race.”

Moodie said the report from co-trainers Mat Ellerton and Simon Zahra on Crystal Lily was encouraging for her return in what is virtually an Oakleigh Plate preview.

“Everyone is obviously dodging Black Caviar to run in the Oakleigh Plate,” he said. “She’s back fit and well but I don’t like the barrier (14) and I don’t like the weather forecast for rain.”

Caulfield racecourse manager Jason Kerr said contrasting forecasts had him wary of watering.

“It’s a Good 3 now and we will hold off watering to see how it unfolds,” he said.

Moodie said Crystal Lily would not run if the track was worse than dead.