Gr 1 – Golden Slipper

Is just the type of horse who wins this race. Has won his three starts to date, coming home hard from midfield and rising to the challenge each time. Seems to know he has to win. Hughie is back from Hong Kong for the ride which says something. Drawn to get a glorious run and looms large once Hughie gets him into the clear. Big show.

Might be very good and because of that must rate very highly. Awkward draw but goes hard early so should be on speed all the way. Did that to win the Gr 1 Blue Diamond in Melbourne this trip and did so at just his 2nd start. Keep very, very safe and have in your numbers.

Will go hard and try to lead these. If he does he may take catching. Looked a little underdone late when led and collared by Tentyris and Wodeton last start when resuming in good time. You can bet he’ll strip fitter this time and should be considered.

Has loads of talent and is Gr 1 placed already when fast-finishing 3rd in the Blue Diamond. Seems to get a tad too far back though. Looms more as a Sires’ Produce horse and may well win that race. Will run on hard here too but place best because of his racing pattern.

Maiden galloper but is exceptionally smart. From this draw he sits in the perfect spot until they turn then he will grind away. No surprise to see him win and should be strongly considered.

Look at this gate. What do they do? He is every bit as good as the very best of them in this, but last start he was trapped wide all the way and wilted. The same looks likely unless Hippo drags him back like he should have done last start, finds cover then charges. That’s his only chance.

Stormed into Slipper contention last week with a runaway win in the Gr 3 Pago Pago. Time was ordinary but the manner in which he disposed of his rivals was telling. Has enormous talent and from this gate probably drives forward again looking to be near the front. Quick backup is a help.

Has had a great prep and gets the perfect gate. Waller-trained horses excel on Grand Final day and that’s what this is for him. Will hit the line like a rocket and looms very large from this gate.

Unbeaten in two starts and latest was a grafting game win in Canberra running down Farcited in the Gr 3 Black Opal. Traditionally horses don’t win that race and the Golden Slipper but this bloke can run on speed which he will have to do from this horror draw. And it’s the gate which I think brings him undone over the last 100m.

Is very game and flies under the radar. Finished a nostril behind Skyhook and Rivellino last start when 3rd in a blanket finish 1200m Gr 2 Skyline. Trainer thinks he’s a big hope in this at great odds. Has drawn to receive a nice run but for mine finishes midfield.

Led and was run down on the wire in the Gr 3 Black Opal in fast time. This is his 3rd race start. He’s a leader and the draw means he has to fly out of the gates and run very hard early. That should burn him out. Not keen.

Such an interesting filly. Has won 3 of her 4 starts and was 2nd in the other. Came home like a missile from near last to win the Gr 2 Sweet Embrace this trip running down Bellazaine in good time. Will have to drop back again but that final finishing kick is very powerful and you can bank on her finishing well enough to be in the money.

Looks the horse to beat. Never saw the fence when 7th in the Gr 1 Blue Diamond behind Devil Night but made amends with the most impressive juvenile win this season when she stormed home in fast time to claim the Gr 2 Reisling. Won’t know herself being drawn on the fence. Will get a cushy run and if she gets out in time, she will finish too well for these. I like her a great deal.

Is very fast and nearly stole the Gr 2 Sweet Embrace when she led and was run down on the line by Within The Law. Is fitter now and despite leading last start, doesn’t need to lead to be effective. May have to go hard from this gate though and she could be wide all the way as a result. If she finds cover, has big claims.

Showed amazing improvement to resume from a spell and easily win the Gr 3 Ottawa Stakes over 1000m last start. New track, new direction, new distance and tough draw make it hard to imagine she can win this however.

Is extremely smart and has drawn perfectly. Only lightly raced but did hit the front 100m out and was just nabbed last start when 2nd to Tempted in the Gr 2 Reisling this trip. Will strip fitter now and looks a Gr 1 winner in the making. Respect her.

Too much of a fairy tale although she is smart. Is a maiden after 3 runs, is trained in the bush and has a 3kg apprentice to steer from a bad draw. Not keen.

Maiden galloper who probably won’t get a start. And, looks tested even if he does. Did finish hard though on debit when 3rd in strong race so may have improved.