Ladies and gents, we’ve arrived at the Golden Slipper, one of the biggest race days on the calendar, presenting the veritable who’s who of thoroughbred talent.
The $5 million Group 1 Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) is the richest race for two-year-old horses in the world, and the feature race at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday, alongside four additional Group 1 races: the George Ryder Stakes (1500m), the Ranvet Stakes (2000m), The Galaxy (1100m) and the Rosehill Guineas (2000m).
With five group one races and a combined $9.6m purse, there’s no wonder Golden Slipper day assembles some of the best runners in the world, with the likes of Anamoe, Artorius, Eduardo, Gold Trip and Mo’unga all competing. As a two-year-old race, the Golden Slipper draw lacks the elite-level talent of the George Ryder Stakes but a Slipper win will catapult notoriety while filling owner’s pockets.
Looking at history, runners in barrier 1 have secured the most wins (nine) – this year that is Chris Waller-trained #7 Shinzo ($15). The Slipper’s most successful trainer Gai Waterhouse will look to make it 8 wins with either #6 Red Resistance ($10) or #11 Platinum Jubilee ($18). She’ll face stiff competition from favourite #5 Cylinder ($4), unbeaten #10 Learning To Fly ($6.50), promising #8 King’s Gambit ($9), and the Blue Diamonds Stakes winner #1 Little Brose ($11) who have drawn barriers 3, 4, 7, and 5, respectively. #15 Steel City got the win last weekend at Rosehill over the same distance and looks like value at $16.
Check out the 2023 Longines Golden Slipper barrier draw below.
| Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. LITTLE BROSE | Ben & JD Hayes | Michael Dee | 5 | 56.5kg |
| 2. BARBER | James Cummings | Nash Rawiller | 8 | 56.5kg |
| 3. ARKANSAW KID | Ben & JD Hayes | Jye McNeil | 13 | 56.5kg |
| 4. DON CORLEONE | Peter & Paul Snowden | Hugh Bowman | 6 | 56.5kg |
| 5. CYLINDER | James Cummings | James McDonald | 3 | 56.5kg |
| 6. RED RESISTANCE | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Brett Prebble | 17 | 56.5kg |
| 7. SHINZO | Chris Waller | Ryan Moore | 1 | 56.5kg |
| 8. KING’S GAMBIT | Peter & Paul Snowden | Mark Zahra | 7 | 56.5kg |
| 9. EMPIRE OF JAPAN | Peter & Paul Snowden | Sam Clipperton | 2 | 56.5kg |
| 10. LEARNING TO FLY | Annabel Neasham | Chad Schofield | 4 | 54.5kg |
| 11. PLATINUM JUBILEE | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 11 | 54.5kg |
| 12. BLANC DE BLANC | Michael Freedman | Damian Lane | 12 | 54.5kg |
| 13. EXPLORING | James Cummings | Brenton Avdulla | 9 | 54.5kg |
| 14. LAZZAGO | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 10 | 54.5kg |
| 15. STEEL CITY | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Regan Bayliss | 15 | 54.5kg |
| 16. FACILE | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Ryan Maloney | 14 | 54.5kg |
| 17. MILITARIZE (NZ) | Chris Waller | Unknown | 16 | 56.5kg |
The racing action extends to Victoria on Saturday where the Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m) will run at Moonee Valley featuring one of the most hotly contested duals in recent memory – #1 I’m Thunderstruck ($6) v # 2 Alligator Blood ($2.80). The two stars will hardly miss a field without Zaaki but must contend with #4 Mr Brightside ($6.50) and #9 The Inevitable who is looking to make it 7 wins in a row, and despite a $26 price, must be considered on form alone.
Here are my Golden Slipper Race day tips. Happy punting.
Best Bet – Rosehill R6 #3 Dubai Honour ($4.40)
Stable has won this race with Addeybb and Dubai Honour is a similar type, but more consistent and better suited on firmer ground than Addeybb. Likely to have everything to suit here and Ryan Moore is just an added bonus given his familiarity with his formlines, if not the horse himself. Far from an easy race but hard not to think William Haggas can win this race again.
Best Each Way – Rosehill R8 #8 King’s Gambit ($9)
Hard to be confident in an open Golden Slipper but still believe King’s Gambit is the most naturally talented two-year-old I’ve seen this season. He’s beaten himself the last couple but his sectionals have been good and I think he’s been crying out for a bit of pressure in his races. Add in that his recent trial was top notch and he looks a worthy each way bet.
Best Longshot – Rosehill R4 #9 Northern Barrage ($101)
Trainer Mick Kent has had a lot of success bringing unheralded horses north on this day before. Usually it’s a race like the Epona Stakes but he’s throwing his three-year-old Northern Barrage in the deep end in the Rosehill Guineas. Most years, you’d say the challenge is too tough but it doesn’t look a vintage group here and, if a couple perform below their best, Kent could spoil the party with Northern Barrage.
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