King to ride Slipper favourite after star turn in Japan

“Luke always complains because the prices of my horses over there are like J-Mac’s [James McDonald] here,” she said.

“With each time I’ve gone back, I’ve probably ridden more and more higher-quality horses. I got to ride Forever Young’s little sister and win on her. He won that night, and she won during the day, and she won by a gap at Tokyo, so I got to ride some really beautiful horses.

“The owners and trainers are very, very supportive. They plan for when I’m coming and run horses around that.”

She can spend one more month in Japan and hopes to do that this year, but for now, the focus is on Warwoven, which has not raced or trialled since he was controversially scratched from the Magic Millions Classic on January 17 when deemed lame by Racing Queensland vets.

Despite the setback, the Sword Of State colt, unbeaten in two starts, remains top of Golden Slipper markets ($6 TAB). King was back aboard Warwoven on Tuesday in a track gallop and she was confident he was going better than ever.

“It’s definitely a nice one to come back for. We’re excited about it,” said King, who has ridden Warwoven in both wins.

“It was his final bit of work, and he was very good, very pleased with him. The reports have been very good, that he’s been in super order back again this prep.

“I think he’s getting better all the time, he’s stronger again and that little bit more mature. I know it didn’t go to plan at Magic Millions, but he had a good trip up there to help him mature.”

Warwoven was a $2.15 favourite from gate one for the Skyline, which could be held on a testing surface if predicted rain hits.

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“He has won on a [soft 5] track, but obviously it’s probably still a bit unknown, with race day pressure on a wet track,” King said.

“He’s a good-moving horse, and he’s very straightforward, but until we get on it, we’re not going to know, but I think most horses in the race will be in the same boat.”