Entry into a revered trainers’ group beckons for Danny O’Brien as Closer To Free tackles Saturday’s Golden Slipper.
Winning the $5 million Group 1 Rosehill feature would let the Melbourne mentor fulfil the Australian racing Grand Slam.
No other trainer in Australia matches Chris Waller’s haul of the Golden Slipper, Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate.
David Hayes, now Hong Kong-based, is the lone other active completer.
Lee Freedman joins deceased legends Bart Cummings, Tommy Smith, Colin Hayes, Jack Denham and Maurice McCarten as the others.
The eight achievers all grace the Australian Racing Hall of Fame, fuelling O’Brien’s anticipation for his top tilt at the richest two-year-old race worldwide.
“You don’t get many opportunities in a Slipper, because you’ve got to have the right horse,” O’Brien said.
“We haven’t had that many of them, so it’d be fantastic if we could tick that last box.”
Post his 2019 Melbourne Cup with Vow And Declare that sealed Melbourne’s Slam segment, O’Brien skipped Golden Slipper fields.
Master O’Reilly delivered his 2007 Caulfield Cup, Shamus Award the 2013 Cox Plate.
O’Brien’s single prior Golden Slipper brush was Running Tall’s 11th at $41 behind Sepoy in 2011.
Through the season’s opening stretch, O’Brien expected 2026 sidelines, until Closer To Free joined early February.
Bought for $60,000 at last Inglis Classic Sale, the Street Boss colt debuted for Wangaratta’s Adrian Corboy, transferring post Sean Buckley’s buy after January 29 Caulfield trial.
Late $150,000 fee on Monday earned his Golden Slipper spot despite missing early entries.
Other late entries: Magic Night Stakes winner Pembrey and Black Opal champ Music Time.
Qualification stemmed from Group 1 Blue Diamond runner-up finish after Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude debut success.
Since February 21 Blue Diamond, he’s Sydney-based from month’s start, excelling in March 10’s 1030m Rosehill trial.
Saturday’s rider Jamie Melham trialled him, impressing O’Brien with the colt’s unflappable Sydney transition.
“He travelled up well, he’s settled well, he trialled well and he’s a very straight-forward colt,” he said.
“Nothing seems to bother him. Everything he does, he just takes in his stride. He’s got a great attitude.
“Jamie Melham jumped on him for the first time the other morning and she was very impressed with him.
“We just need, hopefully, a nice enough barrier and we’ll see what the weather does, but there’s not too many boxes left to tick with him. He’s ready to go.”
Barrier draw Tuesday morning sets the Golden Slipper field, Closer To Free at $11 all-in.
Discover competitive racing betting markets ahead of the Golden Slipper showdown.