Stallion More Than Ready dominates this years Golden Slipper in which he has five runners in the race out of the sixteen entrants. It’s not often that you see one sire make up such a large portion of a race such as the $3.5million dollar Golden Slipper Stakes so we take a look at each of his runners in the race including race favourite Samaready.
3. RACEWAY (9) 
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse
Jockey: Hugh Bowman
Breeding: More Than Ready (USA) x Claws
One time Golden Slipper favourite. He found the line alright in the Skyline Stakes when he finished second to Ashokan. Prior to that, he had demoralised his opposition on debut when winning his debut at Warwick Farm before winning – less impressively than expected – in the Canonbury Stakes. He looked like he needed the run last start and I think it will have brought him on greatly for his grand final here. If he runs up to his debut, expect him to be a major player here. Honestly, I’m not sure how he’ll go, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him win.
5. FAUSTUS (13) 
Trainer: John O’Shea
Jockey: Jim Cassidy
Breeding: More Than Ready (USA) x Living Hell
This very good looking animal has promised a lot but he hasn’t really delivered. He looked good on debut beating Kuchinskaya last November, while he was alright at his return from a spell behind Epaulette in the Black Opal Stakes. But he was dismal in my opinion in the Todman Stakes. He probably wants to be ridden closer to the speed, which should happen here. But still, on that effort, how could you possibly back him? You’d have to very brave to go out on a limb and have him here. It’d be a shock if he won.
6. ASHOKAN (14) 
Trainer: John O’Shea
Jockey: James McDonald
Breeding: More Than Ready (USA) x November Flight
The new kid on the block! He was wayward and green on debut behind Dear Demi, but still ran a powerful second when closing in late. And then, in the Skyline, he raced keenly on the speed but managed to hold off one time Slipper favourite Raceway pretty easily. He needs to learn to relax and he needs to put it all together, especially given the wide barrier. I think he definitely has potential and I think he may emerge as one of the stars from the race. But this may come too soon for him. Nevertheless, he’s the sleeping dragon of the field – if he awakens, he could be a major threat. Each way.
9. SAMAREADY (11) 
Trainer: Mick Price
Jockey: Craig Newitt
Breeding: More Than Ready (USA) x Samar
The unbeaten favourite. This filly has taken all before her to date. She looked very good when winning her debut at Flemington, but bookies still opened her around the $8 mark for the Blue Diamond Prelude. She was crunched and she started a $4.20 favourite. And didn’t she win like a true favourite? She bolted in, and consequently started a fairly short favourite in the Blue Diamond itself. I think that has been her biggest win yet – she ambled up to them and came away. Only No Looking Back could get close. Last time out in the Reisling Stakes, she beat a strong field of fillies with ease in a style very similar to what All Too Hard did in the Pago Pago Stakes a week later. Given what she has shown so far, it is hard to knock her. I don’t think the barrier is that much of an issue and she appears bomb-proof on what we’ve seen so far – she can race handy, she can race back, she’s versatile. But as Craig Newitt said earlier this week, with the withdrawal of All Too Hard she could be a target for other jockeys. Personally, I think she’s the one to beat – and something will have to improve quite a fair bit, or she will have to race below her best, for her to be beaten. Top chance.
16. LATER GATOR (10) 
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse
Jockey: Luke Nolen
Breeding: More Than Ready (USA) x Now The World
John Singleton-owned filly who made it into the field at the last moment when Nathan Tinkler pulled out All Too Hard. She impressed on debut at Canterbury, winning by four lengths, before running a nice third in the Black Opal Stakes behind Epaulette. Last start, in the Magic Night Stakes last week, I personally thought she was okay when closing late. But I did think she looked more like a Sires Produce/Champagne type. However, Singo was so confident she’d run well, he pulled Dear Demi (trained by “king of the babies” Clarry Conners) out of the race! Therefore, she probably has to be some chance – I’d say place best.
