It’s often described as the fourth major in terms of prestige and history. It’s a stallion making, absolute champion race for 2YO’s. The 2017 Golden Slipper has arrived!
Over the years this race has been run and won by some of the Australian turfs all time greats.
In recent years we’ve seen winners such as;
2016 Capitalist
2015 Vancouver
2014 Mossfun
2013 Overreach
2012 Pierro
2011 Sepoy
This year’s field is deep and outside of Houtzen who is our default top pick, there is a stack of winning chances.
The following field data and odds comparison is courtesy of Punters.com.au
The track is currently rated a Heavy 8 and with more rain hovering around Sydney Rosehill will be a very testing surface come Saturday and it will certainly be an advantage to be up around the speed as the track will be a genuine heavy, choppy surface.
Houtzen deserves to be favourite because she has run fast time, makes her own luck in races by going forward, set for this race a long way out and is hard fit.
Chauffer chased her home in the Magic Millions but was pretty poor in the Black Opal.
Frolic strided away from She Will Reign at Randwick but likely gets a long way back this Saturday.
Speaking of She Will Reign who was the Slipper favourite for quite some time, she needs to bounce back off a poor run but is capable.
The Blue Diamond is one of the key lead-up races to cast the eye over with the likes of Tulip, Catchy and Pariah going around.
Tulip has since come out and won well at Randwick, she’s hard fit on the back-up and will run well again.
Catchy looks too short at $6 given her pattern but she’s a live hope.
A horse we think can improve and race in a handy position is Menari at $23 while Madeenaty feels like she is much better than a $91 chance.
She was a victim of a savage anchor drop at Flemington when backed as if unbeatable and game behind Houtzen on the Gold Coast in January.
Overall, it’s a race with little value from our end due to the track conditions and mixed form lines. A small play in the exotic markets is our only play at this stage.
Golden Slipper Verdict
Houtzen to win with Menari, Tulip and Madeenaty value place and exotic options.
The Other Group 1 Races
Slipper Day is stacked to the brim with quality Group one racing. Including Winx as she attempts to make it a fabulous 16 straight wins.
Below are our best value runners in the other key races.
Race 4 – Ranvet Stakes
A lot of worrying signs in the last stop flop from Hartnell. Can’t back him at evens. The United States fit and ready to win, slight value @ $5
Race 5 – George Ryder
Winx clearly the horse to beat. Chautauqua to run second and Le Romain to run third.
Race 6 – Rosehill Guineas
Prized Icon ran super in the Australian Guineas and is getting closer to his peak. Gets the run of the race and is over the odds at $6 while the Kiwi Gingernuts also looks well placed.
Happy to bet around Inference at the current prices.
Race 8 – The Galaxy
Hot race this one!
The favourite Rusian Revolution is a nice horse and trialled very well leading into this but on a heavy track in open class looks under the odds at $5.
Heatherly had a track gallop at Flemington leading into this and will be up around the pace if she jumps well. Some value at $11
Music Magnate looks ready to peak and must go in as well while Fell Swoop is honest and can improve from Oakleigh Plate effort.