The richest race in the world for 2 year olds will take place at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon with the running of the $3.5M Golden Slipper Stakes. The Gai Waterhouse trained Overreach was a dominant favourite leading into Tuesday’s barrier draw and after having drawn the inside gate (two of the past three winners and the last two fillies to have won have all come from gate 1) she has firmed further and is quoted $1.90 chance with Sportsbet in early markets. Last start winner and improving type Sidestep is on the second line of betting at a quote of – unbelievably, $11.00! Only two winners in the past ten years have come from a gate, wider then barrier eight.
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1. CRITERION – J Bowman (2)
There is nothing wrong with this son of Sebring’s – himself a Golden Slipper winner – form. The winner of three of his four starts including, at his most recent outings, the Black Opal Stakes at Canberra where he defeated Sidestep finishing from well back in the field and again, closed well late to claim the G2 Todman Stakes, this track and trip a fortnight back. Ideally, would’ve liked to have seen him drawn out a little further to avoid the early traffic however, from two, can picture him three or four back on the fence and with a touch of luck in running, will be finishing hard.
Odds: $15.00
2. FAST ‘N’ ROCKING – S Arnold (15)
This son of Fastnet Rock has been going about his business in very good style – albeit with little reward. He placed fourth in both the Blue Diamond Prelude and Preview before finishing second to the impressive Miracles of Life in the Blue Diamond finale. Had a lovely run in transit last start in the Todman Stakes and was able to hold off all bar Criterion. He’s in solid form but will be tested by the gate.
Odds: $17.00
3. KUROSHIO – J Parr (16)
The first of three Darley representatives, this colt is by Exceed and Excel. Got a nice run on pace to win the Blue Diamond Prelude two starts back before leading and going too hard in front in the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes, where he knocked up on the heavy track to finish 4.4 lengths behind Sweet Idea. That last run was a month ago and from his wide gate, expecting he’ll be wanting over the concluding stages.
Odds: $151.00
4. SIDESTEP – K McEvoy (5)
This is Darley entrant number two and he also is by Sire, Exceed and Excel and is related to well performed siblings Skilled and Ambidexter. Stable Jockey Kerrin McEvoy has picked this colt to ride and, judging by his smart win in the G2 Pago Pago Stakes last week, rightly so. Prior to last week’s win, he dramatically dumped the rider shortly after the start in the G2 Todman Stakes after he sweated up badly when second to Criterion in the Black Opal Stakes. No the ideal preparation for this bloke but he does seem to genuinely improve with each run and from five, gets a lovely run.
Odds: $10.00
5. I’M ALL THE TALK – B Avdulla (13)
A Stratum colt who has won two from five starts including his last start, where he blitzed the field in the G3 Skyline Stakes at Warwick Farm on the 16th March. Trainer Gary Portelli has kept him up to the mark with a comfortably 2 ¾ length barrier trail win last week. A speedy customer, he steps up to the top grade for the first time and will no doubt be in the leading group as they turn but, have doubts over him seeing out the last 100m when the challengers will be coming thick and fast.
Odds: $26.00
6. WHITTINGTON – N Rawiller (10)
The first of three runners for trainer Gai Waterhouse, who is searching for her fifth Golden Slipper victory. Returned to racing after having won the Listed Breeders Plate back in October of last year, with a half length second to Never Can Tell in the Canonbury Stakes before enjoying the drop in grade to record a long neck win over Va Pensiero in the Lonhro Plate at Warwick Farm three weeks back. A professional type who will give an honest account of himself but should find several here too slick.
Odds: $19.00
7. DOTHRAKI – C Brown (3)
Gerald Ryan trained Mossman colt who made his debut at in the Wyong Magic Millions back in December, where he finished fifth as 2/1 favourite behind Assail before winning at Canterbury at his next start. Was given a freshen up and has stuck on soundly at both runs back, those being a third (beaten 4 ¼ ) in the Skyline Stakes and a second (beaten 1 ¼) behind Sidestep in the Pago Pago last week. Drawn ideally in three but was no match for Sidestep late last week and that horse should have the drop on him again on Saturday.
Odds: $67.00
8. CHARLIE BOY – G Schofield (14)
As is the above runner, this son of Myboycharlie also races under the guidance of Gerald Ryan and the Triple Crown racing banner. He was impressive when winning on debut back in November and immediately spelled. He has had two runs back for a pleasing third behind Sweet Idea first up in the Silver Shadow Stakes before being ridden up on the speed last start in the Todman before weakening late and finishing fourth (beaten 2.9 lengths) behind Criterion. Forgive him last start and he has always given the impression that a race like this, with a solid speed up front, would suit. Don’t forget him and look for him to be finishing hard late.
Odds: $41.00
9. VA PENSIERO – T Clark (8)
Broke his maiden status with a win at Warwick Farm in early February before chasing home Whittington in the Lonhro Plate and then, at his most recent outing, finishing second to last in the Todman Stakes. Not much went right for him in the Todman for shortly after the start, he was hampered by the riderless Sidestep. Forget that run but that means we can only go on the second to Whittington and I don’t think that’ll be good enough for him to be winning here.
Odds: $101.00
10. WINDJAMMER – P Robl (12)
From the very much in-from stable of Bjorn Baker, this son Bernardini has closed well at his two most recent starts. Not much went right in his fourth (beaten 2.1 lengths) behind Whittington in the Lonhro Plate before finishing three lengths behind Criterion in the Todman Stakes. He was on the eventual winner’s tail as they turned in the Todman and can’t see him turning the tables or improving enough off of that run, to win this.
Odds: $67.00
11. OVERREACH – T Berry (1)
The third of four runners to represent Exceed and Excel in today’s race, this filly is the dominant favourite after winning her last two outings by a collective 10.1 lengths. The first victory was an effortless 5.8 length win in the Listed Widden Stakes before accounting for Villa Verde by 4 ¼ last a fortnight ago in the G2 Moet and Chandon Stakes. Both of these races were light on in terms of opposition but it’s has been the manner of her wins and the display of a good turn of foot, that sees her here – quite remarkably for a Golden Slipper – at odds on. Barrier one only increases her chances for mine and she’s the one they’ve got to beat.
Odds: $2.30
12. RUUD AWAKENING – C Williams (18)
New Zealand galloper whose connections decided to make the trip across the Tasman but may well now be questioning that call, given the daughter of Bernardinin drew the outside gate in Tuesday’s draw. She’s led at each of her last three victories back in her native land, the latest a comfortable three length win in the G1 Diamond Stakes (1200m). Think the task will be too much of an ask from her gate.
Odds: $12.00
13. SWEET IDEA – J Cassidy (4)
Gai’s third runner and it’s impossible to knock the form of this daughter of Snitzel who has won two of five and, ran second at each of her other starts including the Magic Millions 2yo Classic in January. She led the field up to two leaders who set a cracking pace in the Silver Slipper Stakes and stuck on tenaciously when challenged for a neck win over Whiskey Allround. Can picture her in the one/one form gate four and be in the thick of the action over the concluding stages.
Odds: $9.00
14. VILLA VERDE – M Rodd (17)
Shaun Dwyer produced this Not A Signle Doubt filly to win impressively on debut, defeating Overreach, in the Listed Debutante Stakes at Caulfield back in November and she bettered that effort when stepping out in the Listed 7News Plate three week later, in recording a 2 ¾ length win. Immediately spelled with this race in mind and returned in the G2 Moet and Chandon Stakes only to have Overreach turn the tables in spectacular fashion. She’ll be better for that run but she has to make up over four lengths and from gate seventeen, just can’t see that happening.
Odds: $13.00
15. GUELPH – C Reith (9)
Last of Darley’s and Exceed and Excel’s runners, this filly, off the back of a 1 ½ length win in the Blue Diamond Prelude, was second favourite in the Blue Diamond but after drawing gate twelve of fourteen and getting back in the run, could only manage a ninth (6 ½ lenghts) behind Miracles of Life. That run was on the 23rd Feb and she’s been given a barrier trail hit-out, which she ran second under a hold, last week to keep her up to the mark. Think she’ll appreciate the tempo of this race and the Rosehill circuit. Could be finishing better than most.
Odds: $19.00
16. ROMANTIC MOON – J B McDonald (6)
She claimed the last spot in the race field for her trainer John O’Shea with a well deserved victory in the G3 Sweet Embrace Stakes at Warwick three weeks back. The daughter of More Than Ready sat just off the speed before being produced at the top of the straight and being too good for the likes of Thump and Greytfilly. Will win more races in the future but can’t see this race as being one of them.
Odds: $41.00
17. HAVANA – (11) 1st Emergency
Nothing went right for this Paul Messara trained Starcraft colt on debut where he finished seventh of nine (beaten 3 ¾ lengths) behind Whittington in the Lonhro Plate at Warwick Farm. Had much better luck in running at his next and most recent start in the Todman Stakes at snuck home along the fence to claim third spot behind Criterion and Fast ’n’ Rocking. On his last run, he has a future but a race like this may be too soon.
Odds: $126.00
18. IL CAVALLO – (7) 2nd Emergency
This colt is a close relation to champion sprinter Starspangledbanner under the care of Peter Moody who knows a thing or two about looking after smart sprinters. He’s only been produced once thus far and that was for a commanding 3 ¾ length under 59kgs in a Open 2yo race at Sandown a week ago. Should he get a run, Moody was quoted during the week that he was ready to go and disappointed that he didn’t bring him to Sydney sooner for one of the lead-up races that maybe would’ve ensured his spot in the filed. Creates interest and at the least – is one to follow in future.
Odds: $19.00
OVERVIEW
Obviously, a capacity field of 2yo’s over six furlongs, pace will be pretty slick from the get-go. Overreach and Berry will have to ensure they jump away clearly and probably end up on the leader’s back. This is the spot that the last two fillies (Forensics and Crystal Lily) had when they won their respective Slippers. All she needs is a touch of luck and the opportunity to display that neat turn of foot. Take her out of the equation and it’s a wide open affair. Sidestep gets a lovely run from five and the blinkers are reportedly going on for this weekend which I think will help him greatly. He seems to be a genuinely improving type and should be able to keep close tabs on Overreach’s every move from gate five. Will be sticking with the boys and putting in Criterion and Charlie Boy. The former has done nothing wrong in the lead-up to this event and he’ll appreciate the tempo and could get a sneaky run from two. The latter has raw ability and gets into the right race here – a strong 1200m race on a big track where he’ll be given time early from his wide gate, but will be able to reel off a finish.
