Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX

Champion colt Ideal Beach has ruled as a warm favourite for the $150,000 Golden Slipper on September 26 for many weeks, but his admirers and punters will take a keen interest in the New Menus In Steelos Slipper Prelude on Friday night when talented New Zealand-bred youngsters Im Stealthy and D Mac will appear at Gloucester Park for the first time.

Im Stealthy and D Mac are by American sire Downbytheseaside and are prepared by Hall Of Fame trainer Gary Hall Snr. They are quite inexperienced, with each having raced only once.

Im Stealthy was most impressive when he made his debut in a 2185m event at Pinjarra on Monday of last week, while D Mac will be having his first start since his debut at the Central Southland Raceway in New Zealand on April 17 this year.

Neither pacer has been produced in a public trial in WA, but each is expected to perform strongly, with the major danger likely to be the Robbie Williams-trained and driven El Mystro, the only two-year-old to have beaten Ideal Beach, who has amassed $248,481 in prizemoney from five wins and one second placing from six starts.

Stuart McDonald will drive Im Stealthy, who will begin from the outside barrier (No. 9) on the front line, while Gary Hall Jnr will handle D Mac, who is more favourably drawn at barrier three. El Mystro will start from the No. 6 barrier.

Hall drove Im Stealthy at Pinjarra when he began from barrier three, was not bustled early and settled down in fifth place in an Indian file affair, about eight lengths from the pacemaker, before being eased off the pegs after about 950m and racing without cover and then taking the lead 300m from home and careering away to win by four lengths, rating 1.56.7 after covering the final 800m in 56.4sec.

D Mac raced over 1609m on debut when he began speedily from the No. 5 barrier but was unable to cross to the front. He then raced in the breeze before taking the lead with 300m to travel and finishing second, threequarters of a length from the winner Seaside Croft, who rated 1.57.7, with final sections of 31.4sec. and 27.1sec.

Chugach, prepared by champion trainers Greg and Skye Bond, will also be on trial for a start in the Golden Slipper. He shows good promise, and his eight starts have produced two wins and three seconds.

“There’s a bit of speed and a bit of class in the race,” said Chugach’s driver Deni Roberts. “So, I’ll probably drive him with a sit, and this will be a good test for him.”

Trainer-reinsman Aiden De Campo is looking for a strong effort from Bettor Behave, the solitary runner on the back line, who won by a head from Chugach in a 2130m event at Gloucester Park two starts ago.

“Bettor Behave hasn’t had a lot of luck in his races, and he will need some here from the draw,” said de Campo. “But he is going good enough to play a part.”