2020 Golden Slipper Stakes Day Tips & Preview

It’s hard to ignore the dominant win of Hilo last start at Randwick even if it was just a lowly benchmark 70. He was only narrowly defeated by Alabama Express at Listed level at Flemington back in November and that horse went on to win a Group 1 against the older horses. Those are pretty strong formlines and I think he can take another step forward here and win the opening event on what promises to be a great day of racing!

Supernova is a lightly raced five year old gelding with a fair amount of upside. His first up effort behind Shared Ambition was full of merit and he usually takes a nice step forward at his second run. He drops a kilo for that fourth placing and will appreciate the step up in trip. He has a second to Surprise Baby at Flemington over 2520m and I think he is worth an each way play here. 

Gayatri represents nice value in the third race of the day at Rosehill. She is a horse with a fair amount of ability as seen by her dominant win at Rosehill last prep and her first up run at Group 3 level at Randwick was far better than it looks on paper. She was never given a chance when running up the backside of horses and could not find clear running. She was not ridden out to the finish line and she still ran within four lengths of the winner. She will appreciate the barrier as well as the step up in distance and $19 at time of publish is worth a small each way play. 

Avilius has had a very similar prep to last Autumn where he ran fifth as the favourite in the Australian Cup at Flemington. He went on to win the Ranvet Stakes and Tancred Stakes last year and I think he is on track to repeat that yet again in 2020. Dwayne Dunn was caught napping a bit heading around the turn at Flemington last start and although he cut the corner, the horse was never a winning chance. He ran to the line really well that day and he has drawn perfectly in barrier two for this. Hugh Bowman climbs back aboard and I think he is the horse to beat. 

It was really tough to tip against Te Akau Shark however I have an issue with him dropping down in distance at just his second run this prep. Also the even money seems short to me for a horse that gets so far back.

Dreamforce kicked clear in the Chipping Norton Stakes last start however he ran into the running rail at a crucial stage which halted his momentum. This cost him dearly with the likes of Te Akau Shark swamping him late. He is one that will appreciate the step back in distance and the $8.50 at time of publish is overs. 

Super Seth has not done a lot wrong during his racing career to date and he was excellent when stepping up to open grade racing against the older horses in the Futurity Stakes. The pattern did not suit that day however he was one of the only horses to make up any ground when he finished second behind Streets Of Avalon. Three year old’s have a good record in the George Ryder Stakes and I think he will measure up to these.

The 2019 Victoria Derby winner has been ticking along nicely so far this prep and I think he is fit enough now to put his best foot forward. He attacked the line really well in both his runs this prep so far and there is no doubt he performs better at 2000m and beyond. Damien Oliver jumps aboard for the first time since his Derby win and I think he represents good value at his current quote ($6.00 at time of publish). 

The Golden Slipper is always an incredibly difficult race to assess with talented two year old’s coming into the race from all different formlines. I am extremely confident that Farnan is the winner of the 2020 edition of the race however. The only blemish on the Not A Single Doubt colt’s record was in the 2020 Magic Millions Classic where he had many excuses. Upon jumping the colt reared sharply left which shuffled him right back in the field and in a horrible position, eventually settling second last. He was asked to come very wide in the straight and he worked home very well. His win in the Todman Stakes was arrogant where he gave the Neds Blue Diamond Stakes winner Tagaloa a lesson and the only issue I envision is the poor barrier. If he can get even luck I think he wins.

This is another extremely open edition on The Galaxy and there really are a number of chances. Pretty In Pink looks to have her work cut out for her on exposed form however her two trials leading into this first-up assignment are hard to ignore. She attacked the line very nicely in those trials with the most recent being a second to Pierata who is the favourite for this race. Watch her make up nice ground late and consider she will carry 8kgs less than that horse here. At $51 at time of publish I think she is worth an each way bet. I would include Kementari, Deprive, Soothing and Anaheed in any multiples as well.

Soothing is a dual acceptor however if the five year old mare heads this way instead of the Group 1 The Galaxy, I think she is every chance. She will be required to carry a lot more weight but I believe she is a mare with an enormous amount of ability. She has managed seven wins from her 18 career starts and she rarely puts in a bad run. Barrier 13 in a huge field is a concern for her however she has one of the best in the business in James McDonald steering.