Unbeaten Headwater can confirm his rating as one of Hawkes Racing's leading Golden Slipper contenders at Rosehill on Saturday.

Co-trainer Michael Hawkes puts Headwater among the elite of the stable's juvenile crop, along with filly Lake Geneva who they are hoping can make the Blue Diamond field.

Headwater makes his Sydney debut in the Silver Slipper, a race the Hawkes training partnership won last year with subsequent Golden Slipper winner Mossfun.

A debut winner in Melbourne, Headwater was heavily backed with most bookmakers on Thursday to win the Group Two sprint despite the presence of Godolphin's major Golden Slipper fancy Ottoman.

Hawkes says the Silver Slipper will be an important test of Headwater's Golden Slipper credentials.

"Saturday will probably tell us that but he's up there with the best two-year-olds we've got, or have produced at the moment at least," he said.

Headwater was given a short break after he scored by almost three lengths at Moonee Valley in December.

His education has continued since his arrival in Sydney and while the colt is forward enough to win on Saturday Hawkes says he will improve on whatever he does.

"He won well down there and had a light freshen up. He's been in Sydney and trialled well. Saturday, he will improve again but he's in the right spot and the right frame of mind," Hawkes said.

"It's the right starting point for his Sydney campaign."

By Exceed And Excel out of Group One winner River Dove, Headwater will anchor Hawkes Racing's Sydney team which also includes the recently gelded Bugatty and Idance.

Bugatty is also entered for Canterbury on Friday night and the stable is leaning towards running him there, although a final decision will be made overnight.

Hawkes Racing's biggest drawcard will be in Melbourne where Deep Field will put his unbeaten record on the line when he takes on Lankan Rupee in the Group One Lightning Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.