by Ray Thomas

Fireburn and Promitto sailed into the Golden Slipper mix with powerful wins in the Royal Randwick slush on Saturday.

The heavy track conditions didn’t trouble Fireburn who was very impressive in the Group 2 $200,000 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m).

Then 35 minute later, Promitto, his rider wearing the colours synonymous with Hall of Famer Gunsynd, romped home in the Group 2 $200,000 Skyline Stakes (1200m).

Fireburn’s win secured her place in the field for the $5m Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 19 but Promitto is not nominated and connections will have to pay a $150,000 late-entry fee to gain a start in the world’s richest juvenile race.

Gary Portelli, trainer of Fireburn, confirmed his filly will go straight into the Golden Slipper without another start.

“What a racehorse,” Portelli enthused.

“Whatever is in front of her, she just picks them up. She’s a machine.’’

Portelli, a master trainer of two-year-olds, is chasing a second win in the Golden Slipper after his success with She Will Reign in 2017.

Fireburn gives trainer Gary Portelli two leading Golden Slipper chances as he also has crack colt Sejardan qualified for the big race. Sejardan will have his final lead-up in the Todman Stakes next Saturday.

“I’ve had two runners in the Golden Slipper before but this is the first time I’ve had two live chances,’’ Portelli said.

“This is an amazing feeling.’’

Fireburn ($8) finished powerfully to win easing down by nearly a length from She’s Extreme ($14) with favourite Lady Laguna ($2.50) nearly three lengths way third.

“Sensational, that’s the only word I can say,” Portelli said.

“I was worried in the run that they hadn’t gone very quick and she actually dipped about the 600, she hit a bad spot, and picked herself back up and as soon as he aimed her up, it was all over.”

Fireburn is on target to become the fourth filly to complete the Sweet Embrace Stakes-Golden Slipper double after Crystal Lily (2010), Ha Ha (2001) and Dark Eclipse (1980).

Jason Collett, who rides both of Portelli’s top two-year-olds and conceded Fireburn is a “pretty handy” filly.

“When she put the two together early in the prep she showed it then, and just the way she attacks the line each time,’’ Collett said.

“She was strong through the line again, her last furlong was generally the best.”

Fireburn is a daughter of Rebel Dane, who Portelli trained to win two Group 1 races.

“Fireburn is Rebel Dane in a filly’s body,’’ Portelli said.

“She’s such a beautiful filly, she’s got that presence about her, a beautiful head. She can gallop. She does things good horses have to do, a clip down the shoulder and it’s all over.

“Rebel Dane was a great horse to us and now I’ve got a daughter of his who is just on her way to the stars so it is very exciting.’’