The Golden Slipper, run over 1200m at Rosehill racecourse, is the richest 2YO race in the world. The $5m feature is recognised as one of Australia’s four majors, alongside the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, and the Cox Plate.
First run in 1957, the Golden Slipper is a race steeped in history, with a number of champions on the honour roll. Trainer, Tommy (TJ) Smith, held the record for most wins by a trainer, with 7 wins in the race, only to be outdone by his daughter, Gai Waterhouse, who has won the race on 8 occasions, the latest being Farnan in 2020, trained in partnership with Adrian Bott.
The training duo will be out to claim another victory in this year’s feature, with their Russian Revolution colt, Rise of the Masses. Having a look at the market, Dabble has unbeaten filly Coolangatta favourite at $4.80. Todman Stakes winner Sejardan is next best at $6.50, in front of She’s Extreme at $8.50, and Best of Bordeaux at $9.00.
If there’s one thing we know with horse racing, it’s that anything can happen, and 2YO’s are never easy to line up. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2022 Golden Slipper along with The Shark’s best tips.
All ready to go for the 2022 Golden Slipper barrier draw at @rosehillgardens . Fingers crossed Fireburn draws a decent gate!🤞🤞🤞 pic.twitter.com/WTFp5oOdAw
— LaurelOakBloodstock (@LaurelOakB) March 14, 2022
1. Daumier (8) – $21
Jockey – Mark Zahra 56.5kg
Trainer – Anthony & Sam Freedman
The blinkers went on in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes, and he got the job done nicely. He looks a very professional 2YO, and has drawn well here in barrier 8. Zahra sticks with him, and he probably looks over the odds again. Respect.
2. Sejardan (7) – $6.50
Jockey – Jason Collett 56.5kg
Trainer – Gary Portelli
Good win last start in the G2 Todman Stakes. Only defeat came in the $1m Inglis Millennium, where he ran on well to finish 3rd. Draws a nice gate here, and looks as though he will get the race run to suit. One of the main chances.
3. Best of Bordeaux (10) – $9.00
Jockey – Sam Clipperton 56.5kg
Trainer – Kacy Fogden
Was well backed on debut, when he spaced his rivals in the G3 Canonbury Stakes. He backed that performance up again last start, when he burnt his rivals with speed to win the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes here at Rosehill. No doubt he will push forward again, and look to make it 3 from 3, but his biggest test will be the last furlong.
4. Shalatin (5) – Scratched
Jockey – Nash Rawiller 56.5kg
Trainer – Joseph Pride
The only runner in the field that is yet to win a race. In saying that, he brings good form lines to the races, after finishing a close up 3rd to Sejardan last start. He finished 2nd in the $1m Golden Gift last year, again behind Sejardan, and will be looking to turn the tables this time round. Draws well and gets Nash Rawiller on board. Plenty of positives.
5. Jacquinot (11) – $11
Jockey – Hugh Bowman 56.5kg
Trainer – Mick Price & Michael Kent Jr
Brilliant winner on debut at Caulfield. Covered more ground than Burke and Wills last start in the Blue Diamond, and was beaten less than half a length. Gets the blinkers on here, Bowman takes the reins, and should get plenty of speed up front to help his cause. Watch for him late.
6. Sebonack (15) – $34
Jockey – William Pike 56.5kg
Trainer – Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes
Good win on debut in the G3 Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield, before an honest effort in the G1 Blue Diamond, where he was strong to the line. Gate is a bit tricky, but if he has a bit of luck in running, he’s more than capable of figuring in the finish.
7. Rise of the Masses (20) – $51
Jockey – Tim Clark 56.5kg
Trainer – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Good win in the G3 Pago Pago last Saturday at Rosehill. Draws the outside gate here, which doesn’t help, but will no doubt push forward and try and make his own luck on the speed. Looks a high pressure race on paper, which makes it hard to tip him here, but does have the Waterhouse/Bott polish.
8. Coolangatta (14) – $4.80F
Jockey – James McDonald 54.5kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Unbeaten filly, who last start won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, on the Gold Coast. Hasn’t raced since then, due to wet tracks, and goes into this 8 weeks between runs, which is somewhat a concern, but no doubt the stable will have her in good order and ready to go. Draws a sticky gate to further complicate things, but on what we’ve seen thus far, it’s hard to knock her.
9. Revolutionary Miss (17) – $16
Jockey – Kerrin McEvoy 54.5kg
Trainer – Peter & Paul Snowden
REVOLUTIONARY MISS and MAZU are set to fly the red flag on Golden Slipper Day @rosehillgardens 🏇🏼
An exciting week ahead for both sets of owners! #LiveTheDream pic.twitter.com/UNC3FYXuUz
— Triple Crown Syndications (@TripleCrownSynd) March 14, 2022
Terrific win in the fillies G2 Blue Diamond Prelude, before narrowly going down in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield. Form prior to her Melbourne trip was solid, and looks an adaptable style of filly. Only knock here is the gate, which may force McEvoy to ride her cold and have one crack at them. If she gets the right run, she’s more than capable.
10. Russian Conquest (16) – $14
Jockey – Tommy Berry 54.5kg
Trainer – Peter & Paul Snowden
Was sent out an odds on favourite last start in the G2 Reisling Stakes at Randwick, where she could only manage 4th place. Prior to that she ran race favourite Coolangatta to a neck in the 2YO Magic Millions Classic. Draws off the track here which isn’t ideal, but may pay to forgive her most recent effort.
11. Queen of the Ball (3) – $17
Jockey – Rachel King 54.5kg
Trainer – Richard & Michael Freedman
On the quick back up from last Sunday, after winning the G3 Black Opal Stakes at Canberra in good style. Gave Revolutionary Miss windburn three runs ago in the G3 Widden Stud Stakes. The concerning run was two starts ago where she found the pressure too much in the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes. Looks as though this will be another hard run race, and she needs to find more than she did on that occasion. If she can do that, she can win.
12. Fireburn (2) – $11
Jockey – Brenton Avdulla 54.5kg
Trainer – Gary Portelli
Searching for four in a row here. Brilliant win two back, defeating Revolutionary Miss, before mowing them down in the G2 Sweet Embrace Stakes last start. That’s good form, and has to be respected again here.
13. Ojai (12) – $51
Jockey – Chad Schofield 54.5kg
Trainer – James Cummings
Lone Godolphin runner in the field. Hasn’t been far away this prep without winning. The gear changes indicate she will be presented with synthetic hoof filler for the first time, which indicates the stable has had problems with her feet. Not ideal leading into a Golden Slipper, but I’m sure she will be fit and sound come raceday. If she can produce her form of old, she can finish in the money.
14. Seven Veils (19) – $26
Jockey – Joshua Parr 54.5kg
Trainer – Mark Newnham
Ran well on debut, when finishing 2nd in a midweek maiden on the Kensington track. She beat home She’s Extreme on that occasion, before going one better in the G2 Resiling Stakes second up. Hard to knock her on what she’s done so far, but has drawn a terrible gate which makes things hard.
15. Lady Laguna (13) – $41
Jockey – Linda Meech 54.5kg
Trainer – Annabel Neasham
Won 2 from 2 first prep, before resuming in the Listed Darley Lonhro Plate, and finishing a good 2nd. She was then sent out a short price favourite in the G2 Sweet Embrace, but struggled in the conditions. Firmer surface suits, and can bounce back to her best here.
16. She’s Extreme (6) – $8.50
Jockey – Brett Prebble 54.5kg
Trainer – Anthony Cummings
A mighty final push by She’s Extreme!! 🚀
The @ACummingsracing filly now has a ticket into the Golden Slipper! 🎟 pic.twitter.com/14aax71xST
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) March 12, 2022
Hammered the line in the G2 Sweet Embrace Stakes two starts ago at Randwick, before an impressive win in last Saturday’s G3 Magic Night Stakes here at Rosehill. Looks a filly with plenty of upside, and has drawn a lovely gate here. Definite winning chance.
17e. Sweet Ride (9) – $71
Jockey – Jean Van Overmeire 56.5kg
Trainer – Annabel Neasham
Tough effort in last Saturday’s G3 Pago Pago Stakes. Drawn well and races handy. If he gains a start, he won’t be far away from the action.
18e. Millane (1) – $71
Jockey – N/A 56.5kg
Trainer – Peter G Moody
Well bred colt who was dominant on debut at Flemington in Listed company. Drawn the inside gate here, and is capable of measuring up if he is to gain a start.
19e. Semillion (18) – $126
Jockey – N/A 56.5kg
Trainer – Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes
Good in Blue Diamond Prelude, and again held on well in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes. If he is to get a run here, the barrier draw might be his downfall.
20e. Man In The Mirror (4) – $126
Jockey – N/A 56.5kg
Trainer – Annabel Neasham
Beat Paris Dior on debut. Good 2nd in last Saturday’s VRC Sires Produce Stakes at Flemington behind a smart one. Has strong form lines, but seems unlikely he will get a start.
Final Word
The Golden Slipper is the pinnacle of Australian 2YO racing, and looking at this year’s field, it’s not hard to see why. Hopefully the track won’t be as wet as it has been in Sydney the past few weeks, and we are presented with an even contest.
Race favourite Coolangatta is looking to keep her unbeaten record intact, but has a couple of hurdles to face, if she is to do so. As mentioned above, she is going into this 8 weeks between runs, and has drawn an awkward gate in 14. She will need to bring her A game to the races, but there’s no doubt if she does so, she’s the one they have to beat.
Here it is! The barrier draw for the $5 million @Longines Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. 👇 pic.twitter.com/ozCTj5934e
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) March 15, 2022
Blue Diamond winner Daumier has done nothing wrong and is going around big odds off the back of that win. Blue Diamond favourite, Jacquinot, also looks big overs, after his unlucky 3rd in the race. He comes to Sydney, gets Hugh Bowman on top and has the shades applied for the first time. I think it’s fair to say if he puts it all together he is capable of blowing them away.
Also out of the Blue Diamond, runner up Revolutionary Miss, will be looking to go one better. She’s drawn wide and will need luck, but is racing well. Stable mate Russian Conquest will be looking to make amends, after a disappointing last start. If she can reproduce her Magic Millions run, where she ran Coolangatta to a neck, she’s right in this.
Gary Portelli holds a strong hand in the race, with Sejardan, who looks one of the main hopes off the back of his Todman win, and Fireburn, who just keeps winning. Whilst fellow trainer Anthony Cummings is looking to win the race that has so far eluded him, with smart filly She’s Extreme.
After plenty of head scratching, I’ve put her (She’s Extreme) on top. Her win in last Saturday’s G3 Magic Night Stakes was superb, and she draws perfect here in 6. Brett Prebble takes over from Tommy Berry, after he was previously booked to ride Russian Conquest, and I think he can take home his second Golden Slipper trophy, after winning on Crystal Lily in 2010.
Best Golden Slipper Tip: 16. She’s Extreme – Each Way ($8.50/$2.90)
Golden Slipper numbers: 16-5-2-8
If you need more news, information and tips, head over to our Golden Slipper page for all your punting needs!
*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Dabble.
