Gai Waterhouse sees enough in one Golden Slipper runner to make a comparison with her first winner in the race.

And while another Tulloch Lodge filly has come from nowhere to stake a claim at Rosehill on Saturday, Waterhouse is in no doubt unbeaten colt Vancouver deserves to be favourite.

"I think he stamped himself in such a decisive way when smashed the record the other day (in the Todman Stakes)," she said.

"Speak Fondly has been one of my favourite fillies from day one in the stables.

"She is very much like (2001 winner) Ha Ha in that she's got a great big rump and a terrific constitution.

"English is a beautiful filly, a class act. Her improvement from her Kembla win to her win in the Reisling was nothing short of dramatic.

"But Vancouver seems to be something quite out of the box."

Vancouver has drawn a wide barrier but bookmakers are taking few risks with the horse freely tipped to give Waterhouse a sixth win in the race and equal billing with her late father TJ Smith as the Slipper's most successful trainer.

Vancouver's jockey Tommy Berry is adamant only bad luck can beat his mount.

"He's just got to get the right run," Berry said.

English will carry the hopes - and the famous silks - of Newhaven Park.

The stud is steeped in Golden Slipper history and it has been associated with modern-day winners Burst, Prowl and Marauding.

But the above mentioned trio carried different racing colours from those Blake Shinn will wear on English.

The filly's black, green sash with red sleeves apparel is synonymous with Newhaven without being carried to victory in a Slipper.

"They have been the bridesmaid a few times so let's hope we can have a change of luck, " Newhaven's Charles Kelly said.

Bookmakers are offering $3 about Vancouver while English is a $13 chance and Speak Fondly is the outsider of the Waterhouse trio at $35.

The Slipper field underwent a minor change on Friday when Look To The Stars was scratched due to a foot abscess.

Her withdrawal gives the Mike Moroney-trained Serenade a start but she will be a long shot despite getting the services of Craig Williams, the Melbourne jockey who won on Miss Finland in 2006.

Miss Finland's trainer David Hayes has two runners this year and he says they deserve more respect than bookmakers are giving them.

Hayes will saddle up Blue Diamond runner-up Reemah and last-start Adelaide winner Haybah.

Exosphere ($4.20) joins Vancouver as the only Slipper runner under double figures and is the obvious pick of Godolphin's four runners.

But there is some confidence in the Sheikh Mohammed-owned stable about Ottoman running well.

"To our eye she appeals as one of the better outsiders on her run in the Reisling," racing manager Jason Walsh said.