Form analyst, RIC CHAPMAN, looks at every runner in Saturday’s Group 1 $5million Golden Slipper with horse racing tips for the first four. Read on to see how he maps – he has included the potential for a damp track in his thoughts. Good luck!
Rosehill R8 – $5million Gr 1 Golden Slipper Stakes (2YO) 1200m
1. LITTLE BROSE (5) 21×21
T; Team Hayes / J: Micky Dee (56.5kg)
Outstanding Victorian colt who stormed home impressively to claim the Gr 1 Blue Diamond recently over this trip. Is very fit and extremely consistent. Has a magical draw too. Should be within striking distance and his honesty will make him a threat.
2. BARBER (8) 11×19
T: James Cummings/ J: Nash Rawiller (56.5kg)
Former star who blotted his copybook with a below par run in the Blue Diamond. Wasn’t all that far away but just didn’t savage the line like he has been known to do. Back to Sydney where his best form is and could improve.
3. ARKANSAW KID (13) 1×03
T: Team Hayes / J: Jye McNeil (56.5kg)
His two Melbourne runs have been outstanding, latest when 3rd in the Gr 1 Blue Diamond flashing home late. But his only Sydney run was woeful and on that basis, not keen on him.
4. DON CORLEONE (6) 142
T: Team Snowden / J: Hugh Bowman (56.5kg)
This bloke is pretty exciting and seems to be getting better with racing. Rattled home for 2nd with a big red light above his head in the Gr 1 Blue Diamond. That sets him up for a crack at the Sires’ Produce but his work doing the week suggests he is absolutely flying at present. Respect him.
5. CYLINDER (3) 22×11
T: James Cummings / J: James Mcdonald (56.5kg)
Is the ruling favourite based on his brilliant and rather convincing last two runs which were wins over his main rivals here. Also has the perfect draw. It is very hard seeing him out of the placings and in fact is so strong late he does loom as the one beat.
6. RED RESISTANCE (17) 112
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott / J: Brett Prebble (56.5kg)
Good tough front-running colt who will have to work hard to win this from this draw. Especially if Steel City also hunts up. But, he is very fit and thoroughly professional. We’ve seen before with Gai and Adrian’s horses that when drawn wide and made to work, they still find plenty at the end.
7. SHINZO (1) 321
T: Chris Waller /J: Ryan Moore (56.5kg)
Pretty smart improving colt who looked awesome, albeit in slow time last week when coming from last and three wide for the final 600m to run them down in the Pago Pago the final lead up race. He is on his home track, quick backup suits and is very, very strong late. Chance.
8. KING’S GAMBIT (7) 1×23
T: Team Snowden /J: Mark Zahra (56.5kg)
Enigmatic because he is by far the best horse in the field when he wants to be. Saying that, has been relegated to placings both starts this time up. Trialled like a rock star during the week. Is super fit now being third up and with luck, he can power over these. Should find the fast lane first.
9. EMPIRE OF JAPAN (2) 1×364
T: Team Snowden / J: Sam Clipperton (56.5kg)
Is extremely gifted but his three runs this time up have suggested he needs further than this trip against this level. Will probably get cluttered up on the fence too. Not keen.
10. LEARNING TO FLY (4) 111
T: Annabel Neasham / J: Chad Schofield (54.5kg)
Has been the juvenile on everyone’s lips for some time and has won three from three to date. But she kinda lost a little lustre last start when she only narrowly scrapped home ahead of Facile. Still, is a winner and has a powerful burst late when she is keen. Has claims.
11. PLATINUM JUBILEE (11) 1×222
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott / J: Tim Clark (54.5kg)
Is a star. And is the forgotten runner in this field. I can’t believe she is $21. Is tough, is very honest and will finish very hard. Have in your numbers.
12. BLANC DE BLANC (12) 13×232
T: Team Freedman / J: Damian Lane (54.5kg)
Is screaming out for 1400m. And from this gate probably has no option other than to ease back early. Can produce a brilliant run late so if they overcook it up front she will be hurtling home. Is very honest.
13. EXPLORING (9) 1417
T: James Cummings/ J; Brenton Avdulla (54.5kg)
Looks to have the job ahead. Likes to lead and will be in a stoush for that spot with Steel City and Red Resistance from the get go. Did win a Gr 2 leading up to the Gr 1 Blue Diamond last start when a fading 7th. Not keen.
14. LAZZAGO (10) 141
T: Chris Waller / J: Kerrin McEvoy (54.5kg)
If the track is a bit soft and they are running on, this is a filly who will test them late. She is improving in leaps and bounds every start and last start swooped late to knock over both Facile and Blanc De Blanc. Is underrated and shouldn’t be. Big show.
15. STEEL CITY (15) 2201
T: Ciaron Maher & Dave Eustace / J: Regan Bayliss (54.5kg)
Super fast and last week just showed she can do it at top speed both ends with a runaway win from the front over Blanc De Blanc. Quick back up suits but from this gate she will need to work to get across. Is very smart though and has been backed to win this race. Sobering to note though that Don Corleone, Red Resistance, Little Bros and Learning To Fly have all beaten her when they’ve met.
16. FACILE (14) 2×522
T: Gerald Ruyan & Sterling Alexiou / J:Ryan Maloney (54.5kg)
Tough little filly with a big heart. Still a maiden after four starts and will be after this also but will give you a good sight for a while.
17. MILITARIZE (16) 13
T: Matt Williams /J: Dean Yendall (56.5kg)
Probably doesn’t get a run but of he does, from this gate he needs to drop out and may not have enough dash to run past all of them.
