Barely 48 hours after handing his trainer a record-equalling sixth Slipper success, Vancouver's autumn campaign was cut short throwing the final legs of the juvenile triple crown - the Sires Produce and Champagne Stakes - wide open. "I want him to come back and win the Golden Rose and the Guineas and have a shot at the Cox Plate," Waterhouse said. "I just think giving this colt a break now will consolidate him in a big way. He's such a brilliant and talented young horse and giving him a bit of time to mature you just won't know him as a three-year-old. Since they've changed the program they've stretched all this out for the two-year-olds which has made it a lot harder for them."

Forensics is the only horse to have won both the Golden Slipper and Golden Rose, but the latter was achieved in March away from the race's traditional home in September after an equine influenza-interrupted season.

Sportsbet ready

Sportsbet will defer to Racing NSW over a timeline for a deal surrounding live vision on the corporate bookmaker's website after announcing a similar agreement for Victorian racing on Monday. Asked whether a contract could be in place for The Championships, a Sportsbet spokesperson said: "We're ready when they are. Racing New South Wales will manage the timelines."

Racing NSW boss Peter V'landys has previously stated his desire to spread the sport's digital footprint far and wide despite an exclusive broadcasting deal signed with the Tabcorp-owned Sky Channel in January. Sportsbet's deal for Victorian racing saw it stream live vision free to its 1.8 million customers from Monday. It is unclear as to the terms of the deal, but the bookmaker has already hinted it will pursue similar deals with harness and greyhound racing officials.

"We would like to help as many codes as possible maximise the number of eyeballs on their code and their revenue so we are very much open to conversations," the spokesperson said.

Opportunity for Portelli

Gary Portelli has come close to a group 1 around Moonee Valley with Rebel Dane in the past, but he's unlikely to have a better chance than the William Reid Stakes on Friday night after his five-year-old's sizzling track gallop at Warwick Farm on Monday.

"I think he goes well around the Valley and it's good to see a couple of the real big horses aren't there, which makes it a little bit easier," Portelli said. "Having said that, there are some smart ones there that have beaten us home, including Famous Seamus and the filly Angelic Light. It won't be a walk in the park, but he'll certainly be competitive. I was really happy with the way he came off the track and he wouldn't have blown a candle out." Rebel Dane was narrowly beaten in both the Moir and Manikato Stakes last spring at the circuit. Craig Williams retains the ride.

Williams to join race

Craig Williams has been the major beneficiary of Hugh Bowman's misfortune, picking up the ride on Australian Oaks-bound Set Square in the group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday. Jim Cassidy will take over his other group 1 mount, Lucia Valentina, which backs up in the $1.5 million The BMW.