Golden Slipper Day returns to Rosehill Gardens this Saturday, and with it comes one of the most anticipated programs on the Australian racing calendar.
Headlined by the $5 million Golden Slipper, the world’s richest race for two-year-olds, the meeting consistently delivers a blend of raw juvenile talent, established Group 1 performers, and emerging stars looking to make their mark on the autumn carnival.
While the Slipper rightfully takes centre stage, the supporting card is stacked with elite-level racing. The Rosehill Guineas will test the staying credentials of the season’s best three-year-olds, often shaping the path toward the ATC Derby, while the George Ryder Stakes brings together a high-class field of milers, many with eyes on the Doncaster Mile.
With Day 1 of The Championships right around the corner, see where we’ve landed ahead of a stacked Saturday of Group 1 racing at Rosehill below!
BELLA KHADIJAH (6) strips fitter third-up and appears close to another win.
The daughter to Pierata has gone close without winning in two recent efforts, resuming to finish within three lengths of Cinsault fresh at Randwick, and then stepping back a grade at Newcastle where she ran fourth after being forced to shift out down the straight.
She won her maiden third-up in Queensland as a three-year-old and has tackled this distance range twice before. A bit of wet track experience also goes a long way with Jason Collett likely to settle right back in the run from the wide gate.
JUJA KIBO (8) just needs room to run on from the inside gate to be a serious factor.
Ciaron Maher’s stayer looks ready to peak third-up off a much-improved effort in the Randwick City Stakes last start, one that saw him settle off the speed early on and struggle for room approaching the furlong.
He’s in well at the weights again with only 55kg on his back under Craig Williams, while his wet track form reads exceptionally well as he gets out to his preferred trip.
QUIETNESS (5) presents a bit of a case second-up with Tommy Berry making weight.
The pair combined to finish just over three lengths off Saturday’s rival Pinito in the Aspiration Quality fresh at Randwick over the mile. The race was there to be won when they were third entering the turn before her condition gave way when the pace quickened.
Losing 3kg is a big plus on Saturday and she does have some solid form to her name second-up.
Wins have proven hard to come by over the last year, but with the rise in trip suiting off some sound efforts in the Bendigo and Coongy Cup late last year, she’s a definite chance in a deep edition of the Epona Stakes.
SKYHOOK (2) resumes boasting some likable first-up and wet track form.
We last saw the Written Tycoon colt during the spring when he contested the Coolmore at Flemington, a race that may have been a little out of his depth given he was midfield and only improved slightly to grab fifth behind Tentyris.
He has bigger races than this in his sights, but his recent trial at this venue was good and we know he always runs a drum here on his home track.
Very hard to go past AELIANA (4) in this small Ranvet Stakes field.
She’s as honest as the day is long, and that has been the case in both runs back this prep where she’s placed in the Apollo and the Verry Elleegant Stakes behind Autumn Glow on each occasion.
Her third-up form has been mixed, but she’s got fitness on her side, a perfect gate and, most importantly, no Autumn Glow to worry about.
Another shorty with OBSERVER (1) looking incredibly difficult to beat with three weeks between runs since his Australian Guineas success.
Ciaron Maher’s four-year-old made it four on the trot with a bursting run after settling off the speed, indicating he’ll handle getting out over further, just like he did last year on his way to winning the Victoria Derby.
Craig Williams pilots this time and will likely look to press forward from the inside gate and challenge early. This is slightly tougher again, but his class should take him a long way.
The unbeaten AUTUMN GLOW (8) is odds on after making it a whopping 10/10 in the Verry Elleegant three weeks ago.
The slight step back to 1500m is interesting but it’s also the very same setup that saw her come out and win the Golden Eagle last November.
LADY SHENANDOAH (9) is always a key threat, especially after the way she’s been racing this prep. She was strong all the way through the line in the Canterbury Stakes last start and is drawn to get a dream run from the inside gate. A perfect two-from-two at Rosehill, she’s a must in multis.
CHAYAN (14) is the favourite in the Slipper for good reason.
Her win two weeks ago in the Reisling Stakes was nothing short of superb, showcasing a solid turn of foot down the outside to fly home and win with plenty left in hand.
Watching back, she had a bit go against her in transit and still went on to win by close to three lengths. Craig Williams gets the sit this time and although the gate makes things tricky, she’s still got big improvement to come.
BRIASA (1) is a class animal who always runs well fresh.
He was a winner here at Rosehill as a as a three-year-old two years earlier, then going on to famously win the TJ Smith Stakes last April where he got past Overpass in the final stages for a resounding victory.
His spring results were a little mixed, headlined by a win in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes over Jimmysstar, before struggling from thew ide gate in The Everest a couple of runs later.
Both trials leading into his return have been solid though and if he’s forward enough (which it looks like he is), he should be right in the mix in this year’s The Galaxy finish.
EAGLE EXPRESS (17) and down at the weights and nearing peak fitness now at a nice price.
The mare to Alabama Express had genuine excuses in the Wenona Girl two weeks ago off a wide sit in transit, eventually knuckling down late to run midfield beaten three lengths by Gangsta Granny.
She opened her account fresh with a win here over the track and trip and does tend to relish some sting out of the track.