In more than 30 years of breeding and racing horses, Wilf Mula has never had a Golden Slipper runner – until now.
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On Saturday, Mula heads to Rosehill to cheer on two youngsters, one the second favourite the other the $201 outsider in the $3.5 million race.
Flying Artie is the colt most believe can beat his Mick Price-trained stablemate Extreme Choice while French Fern from the David Payne stable has earned her way with a surprise win in the Reisling Stakes.
Mula, a Sydney businessman and former Australian Turf Club director, said he was looking forward to the day although he admitted Flying Artie was the pick of the two.
He races Flying Artie in a partnership which includes former NSW Police Minister Paul Whelan of Luskin Park Stud.
“Paul and I have bred horses for a long time. We own horses together but usually only race the colts we breed ourselves,” Mula said.
“The colt brushed past Paul at the Easter sale and he kept an eye on him.
“He saw it was passed in and he found out it had gone back to Victoria.
“We bought him for $50,000.
“He was already in Victoria. Mick (Price) has already had a horse for us and we’ve always liked him.
“He’s a very good trainer.”
French Fern cost even less, with Payne paying $20,000 for the filly at a Patinack reduction sale.
“David had a horse called Be Like Dad who he liked but he was a bit flighty and not very good in the head,” Mula said.
“He saw his sister for sale and we paid the princely sum of $20,000.”
Flying Artie firmed from $6 to $5 after drawing barrier five with Extreme Choice the solid $2.80 favourite.
At the other end of the scale, French Fern drifted from $101 after coming up with gate 13.
And while style icon Gai Waterhouse, who has Kiss And Make Up and Scarlet Rain in the Slipper, is tight-lipped about what she will be wearing on the day, Mula is already prepared.
“Pink and black because they’re my colours,” he said.
“French Fern will have a black cap and pink spots and while Flying Artie will be pink with black spots.
“I’m going to have a black suit with a pink shirt so I’ll cover both.
“I’m not brave enough to wear a pink suit. I’m 70. You don’t have pink suits at 70.”
