Estijaab has overcome a wide barrier to win the $3.5 million Golden Slipper at Rosehill.
Ridden by Brenton Avdulla, Estijaab led all the way to beat Oohood and Sunlight in an all-fillies finish to the world’s richest two-year-old race.
The victory gave trainer John Hawkes and his sons their second Slipper success as a training partnership after Mossfun’s win in 2014.
Estijaab cost $1.7 million as a yearling and went into the Slipper as an $9 chance after winning two of her three lead-up starts.
“Everybody went off her after the other day but as I said you’ve got have them peaking on the right day,” Hawkes said.
“It’s no good having them win the Slipper two weeks before.”
Avdulla is celebrating his biggest win in the saddle after a ride that earned rare praise from Hawkes.
“It’s the first time that I’ve gone into the race thinking I’ve got a legitimate contender,” Avdulla said.
“Her gate speed was tremendous. I was able to get there, control and (she) got through the ground really well.
“It’s just an amazing feeling.”
