A share in close to $5 million goes on the line this Saturday in what is shaping up to be one of the most memorable editions of the Group 1 Golden Slipper at Rosehill.
The year’s two-year-old sprint race pits unbeaten colts Storm Boy and Switzerland against one another, both coming up trumps during Tuesday’s barrier draw ahead of their first Group 1 hit out.
Gai Waterhouse – who lines up six hopefuls, including first emergency Espionage – is chasing her eighth Slipper win with Storm Boy, while Chris Waller is hoping to become the first trainer to go back-to-back since Gai did the double in 2013.
It’s shaping to be one of the battles of the ages between two unbeaten colts, and our thoughts on this year’s Golden Slipper can be found below!
Suggested Betting Strategy
- 1 Unit Switzerland
- 1 Unit E/W Prost
Everything we’ve seen from Switzerland so far suggests he can measure up to the favourite Storm Boy.
Also unbeaten, Chris Waller’s colt is coming off a convincing win in the Group 2 Todman Stakes a fortnight ago, a race that saw him angle into the clear out of the turn where he let rip with an explosive turn of foot to score with real authority.
That was only his first look at 1200m, so he should have room for improvement after denying the likes of Shangri La Express and Straight Charge in brave fashion.
James McDonald opting for the ride over Storm Boy bares enormous respect, while I think the pair have actually won the barrier draw jumping from gate 7.
Providing they find cover early, I think they might finish over the top if J-Mac stalks the speed and launches late.
Lady Of Camelot looks to be one of the other main chances for Waterhouse and Bott on Saturday.
The daughter of Written Tycoon is two starts into her autumn prep, winning her maiden in fine style fresh over shorter in the Widden Stakes first-up in February.
She tried her hardest two weeks later in the Blue Diamond, leading into the straight where she was only run down late by the fast finishing Hayasugi down the outside.
I can’t help but think a slightly more patient ride would have seen her home that day after the pace quickened into the turn, which she might get on this occasion now that Blake Shinn takes over.
The pair got a good feel for one another in a recent trial at Hawkesbury, and with a run under her belt here at Rosehill, she should looks set to run another brave race with nearly a month between starts.
Prost is one of the more intriguing runners going around at a price for the Waterhouse and Bott team.
Also by Snitzel, this lightly-raced colt resumed in strong order two back in the Canonbury Stakes, beating home the likes of Fearless and subsequent VRC Sires’ winner Traffic Warden from the inside gate.
Form around the likes of Espionage and Straight Charge during the spring stands out on his resume, while I thought he took a little while to warm up in the Skyline Stakes a fortnight ago when running on late for second behind Storm Boy.
The gate makes this tricky, but Adam Hyeronimus might have a point to prove after losing the ride on Storm Boy.
Fitter and set to peak third-up, I’m happy to have an each-way play on this boy.
Storm Boy has been all the rage in the lead up to this year’s Slipper.
The unbeaten colt by Justify is unbeaten in four starts, returning from a break in the Skyline Stakes three weeks ago where he put paid to the small field winning by 1.38 lengths thanks to the front-running tactics of James McDonald.
He put away his rivals in arrogant fashion that day when finding something extra at the top of the straight, and after coming up trumps in barrier 2, he should be afforded the run of the race.
Ryan Moore replacing James McDonald is the only real query for mine, but with three of his wins coming over 1200m, he should be able to land up on the speed and dictate on his terms.