Ryan took out Canberra's Black Opal on March 5 with roughie Trapeze Artist, but upstaging Gai Waterhouse for an elusive $3.5 million Golden Slipper (1200m) would be the real feather in his cap.

After winning the Opal Ryan said he was not sure if owner Bert Vieira would stump up the $150,000 late acceptance fee to enter the Slipper, but suggested on Friday the colt was never in doubt of missing world's richest two-year-old race.

"I said that because I hadn't spoken to the owners and they're the ones who have to pay up the $150,000, but the director [Vieira] has a stack of it, that's money from the ash tray in his car," Ryan said.

"He's been in racing for 10 years and put a lot money into it and I think this is his first horse running in a Group 1. He thought he was impressive enough in Canberra against high profile horses so he wanted the chance."

Ryan believes Trapeze Artist has what it takes to salute at Rosehill on Sunday after drawing barrier five, but admitted Sydney's heavy track could throw a spanner in the works.

"What he's like on a real heavy track, I don't know, it depends on the rain we get tomorrow and they're expecting a lot," Ryan said.

"It's an ideal barrier for him, he'll be camped in just behind and should go well. He's in there with a chance, he's had a terrific preparation, going into it soft way around, hasn't been bombed out on heavy tracks and hasn't had a gut-buster."

The bookies don't believe Cleary's record from 18 years ago will be matched on Saturday and have listed Trapeze Artist at $31.

"I'm a race horse trainer and don't look at prices, but they had him at $46 at the Black Opal and we had a little bit of that," Ryan said.

Canberra Racing Club will host its member's day on Saturday with all six races at capacity.