The Group 1 Golden Slipper (Race 7) is one of the greatest races we have on the Australian racing calendar and this year’s edition has attracted another cracking field.
I’ve had an in-depth look at every runner in the 1200m race to try and sort out who can and can’t win the $3.5 million Slipper.
Here is my runner-by-runner preview for the world’s richest two-year-old race.
BONUS: Get a $300 UniBet BONUS via this link!
1 – Pariah – Talented colt from the Snowden yard who has shown a nice ability in all three career runs.
His last start effort behind Catchy in the Blue Diamond was very good and barrier four ensures a perfect run throughout the race.
This colt is one of two Snowden runners in the race and I believe he’s their best chance to win the Slipper for the second year in a row.
But I’m happy to leave him out of my top four because I think he’ll struggle on the wet track.
2 – Veranillo – A tough, honest colt from the Godolphin camp who has been racing well, but I don’t think he has that killer punch to win a Slipper.
I expect him to get a nice run from the barrier and he showed us last start he handles a wet track. Top 8 chance.
3 – Trapeze Artist – Trained by Gerald Ryan, this colt burst onto the scene with a very impressive win in the Black Opal.
I gave him no hope last start, but he proved me wrong and I’m not going to make the same mistake again.
The stable has a good opinion of this horse, he has drawn well and he’s ready to peak now.
4 – Single Bullet – Didn’t beat any superstars last Saturday in the Pago Pago, but I really liked the way this colt kept trying all the way to the line.
Gary Portelli has given this horse a perfect preparation in my eyes and Tye Angland is riding with a lot of confidence, so this colt must be respected.
5 – Diamond Tathagata – One of the outside chances in the field, but I think he’s well over the odds.
He’s a handy colt who is fitter now and barrier 7 is perfect. Nice chance at big odds.
6 – Trekking – Had no luck in the Black Opal last start, but he still managed to run on strongly into second.
I’m a big fan of this colt, but the horrible barrier is a massive concern. Don’t give up on this horse if he fails on Saturday.
7 – Invader – The second of team Snowden’s Slipper runners. His recent form has been good and it’s hard to knock any horse ridden by Bowman.
But I would be very surprised if this horse could get the job done because he’s going to need a ton of luck from the wide barrier and I don’t think he’s a Group 1 horse.
8 – Menari – Failed as a short priced favourite at Randwick last start but I’m happy to forgive that run because he had no luck and the bog track took the zip out of his legs.
His form prior to his last start effort was good and I personally believe this colt has the ability to win a Slipper.
If he can get some luck from the inside draw, he’ll be right in the finish.
9 – Catchy – Unbeaten in four starts and she looks to be a serious horse in the making.
I love the way she attacked the line in the Blue Diamond and I expect her to do the same again this weekend from the gun draw.
I can’t find any reason to knock this girl and that’s why she is my second pick in the race.
10 – Formality – Had every chance to win the Blue Diamond but she had to settle for third.
She has upside but I can’t see her turning the tables on Catchy and Pariah this weekend.
11 – Tulip – A lovely filly who has been good in all four career starts. She worked home strongly from the back of the field in the Blue Diamond and attacked the line well to win at this track last Saturday.
This filly isn’t the stable’s top selection in the race, but she must be respected because she’s rock hard fit and run in Sydney.
12 – She Will Reign – The boom filly who everyone has been talking about after her debut win at Kembla late last year.
She has been one of the best-backed runners in pre post markets, but I’ve been happy to lay this filly from the start because I don’t think she has what it takes to win a Slipper.
She is unders in the market now because she is yet to prove herself over this trip and her last start run on the heavy track might have flattened her.
13 – Frolic – Went back to last and launched down the outside to score a very nice win at Randwick last start.
Her stable has her ticking along perfectly this prep and if she can repeat her last start effort, then she’s a very big chance.
I expect Tommy Berry to ride her very quietly, so he can save her for one last crack at them down the outside.
14 – Teaspoon – Won her first two starts in nice style, but she was only fair in the Sweet Embrace last start and I can’t see her winning a Slipper after that performance.
15 – Houtzen (pictured above) – Been backed into favouritism after her awesome first-up win at Eagle Farm last start with 63kgs on her back.
The wide barrier is a bit of a concern, but I don’t think it’ll worry this little rocket because she showed she can win from the carpark in the Magic Millions.
I doubt anything can lead this horse, so we should see her roll across from the gate and lead throughout.
The wet track is a worry but if she can handle it then she will blow this field away.
She is a little star in the making and it would be great to see Jeff Lloyd and Toby Edmonds win their first Golden Slipper because both blokes have been dominating Queensland racing. Go girl!
16 – Madeenaty (pictured above) – Was favourite for this race after her impressive win on debut in the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes, but her price has drifted because she has failed to repeat her debut win in recent outings.
I find it hard to bag any runner from the Hayes & Dabernig stable because they’re absolutely flying, but I’d be shocked if this animal won on Saturday.
Here are the emergencies:
Chauffeur (1st emergency) – A very expensive colt who ran second behind Houtzen in the Magic Millions and then failed in the Black Opal last start.
Chauffeur is highly talented, but has drawn horribly and he’s going to be better suited over a longer distance.
Showtime (2nd emergency) – A very nice animal who could run a huge race if he was to get a run on Saturday. He stuck on well in the worst part of the track last start and this distance suits.
The Mission (3rd emergency) – A consistent horse, but he would need to start now if he’s going to win on Saturday.
TIPS:
1st – Houtzen, #15
2nd – Catchy, #9
3rd – Frolic, #13
4th – Menari, #8
Best Roughies:
Trapeze Artist, #3
Diamond Tathagata, #5
