Cover image courtesy of Sportpix
Saturday’s Slipper shuffle
Four juvenile stakes races across two states take centre stage on Saturday as the road to the G1 Golden Slipper States gets more bumpy. Three horses - Stretan Ruler (Wild Ruler), Spicy Miss (Trapeze Artist), and Campione D’Italia (Snitzel) - have secured ballot exempt entry to the grand final, while 27 black-type runners on Saturday will attempt to guarantee themselves a spot with adequate prizemoney or a proverbial golden ticket in Sydney’s two events.
| Exempt | Stretan Ruler | Phillip Stokes | G2 Todman Stakes | $219,250 |
| 7 | Tornado Valley | Ciaron Maher | G2 Todman Stakes | $221,145 |
| 11 | Hidrix | Chris Waller | G2 Todman Stakes | $168,250 |
| 12 | Incognito | Michael Freedman | G2 Todman Stakes | $160,350 |
| 14 | Zambales | Anthony & Sam Freedman | G2 VRC Sires' Produce Stakes | $150,700 |
| 20 | Eurocanto | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | G2 VRC Sires' Produce Stakes | $114,145 |
| 22 | Agrarian Girl | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | G2 Reisling Stakes | $109,500 |
| 24 | Chayan | Annabel & Rob Archibald | G2 Reisling Stakes | $103,000 |
| 28 | Outspan | Michael Freedman | G2 Todman Stakes | $91,200 |
| 33 | Eviction Notice | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | G2 Todman Stakes | $81,900 |
| 35 | Miss Chanel | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | G2 Reisling Stakes | $67,350 |
| 40 | Confederation | Chris Waller | G2 Todman Stakes | $49,950 |
| 45 | Pearl Of Dubai | Peter Snowden | G2 Reisling Stakes | $40,200 |
| 46 | Medicinal | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | G3 Ottawa Stakes | $37,250 |
| 57 | Wolf Gap | Anthony & Sam Freedman | G2 Todman Stakes | $28,400 |
| 57 | Potomac River | David Atkins | G2 Reisling Stakes | $28,400 |
| 62 | Simply Steffi | Clinton McDonald | G3 Ottawa Stakes | $25,500 |
| 72 | Scintillation | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | G3 Ottawa Stakes | $20,550 |
| 72 | Diameter | Chris Waller | G2 VRC Sires' Produce Stakes | $21,750 |
| 80 | Farcolo | Gary Portelli | G2 Reisling Stakes | $12,100 |
| 82 | Paradoxium | Bjorn Baker | G2 Todman Stakes | $11,000 |
| 84 | Naadra | Michael Freedman | G2 Reisling Stakes | $10,350 |
| 87 | Dr Hook | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | G2 VRC Sires' Produce Stakes | $8,900 |
| 89 | Expensive Taste | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | G2 VRC Sires' Produce Stakes | $8,680 |
| 95 | Give Her Strength | John Thompson | G2 Reisling Stakes | $7,000 |
| 95 | Yvonne's Joy | John Thompson | G2 Reisling Stakes | $7,000 |
| 97 | Regal Ambition | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | G2 VRC Sires' Produce Stakes | $5,760 |
| 102 | Legaselli | John Thompson | G2 Reisling Stakes | $5,200 |
Table: Juvenile stakes runners on Saturday still in contention for the G1 Golden Slipper Stakes
Stretan Ruler is back for the G2 Todman Stakes as his final Slipper lead-up run, where eight of the field are bidding to win their way in, including Paradoxium (Extreme Choice) who needs to win (or come very close) to get into the Slipper.
Hidrix (Extreme Choice) has all but secured his spot, being currently 11th in the order, and Chris Waller’s assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth has discussed sending the colt out on Saturday with blinkers on for the first time.
Hidrix | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
They're just to help sharpen him up a little bit," he told RSN on Thursday. “Slippers aren't easy to win, and we want him to have that killer punch. Ultimately, we'd rather have it work out now than working it out in the grand final."
"Slippers aren't easy to win, and we want him (Hidrix) to have that killer punch." - Charlie Duckworth
Zambales (Pinatubo {Ire}) is all but guaranteed a spot in the final field thanks to pocketing $150,000 in prizemoney already, so connections have opted to attack the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes down south as his next stop. There he will clash with Eurocanto (Per Incanto {USA}) who sits on the edge of the field in the 20th position.
Almost An Angel (So You Think {NZ}) is one of a handful of runners not aiming for a Slipper, with trainer Robbie Griffiths believing the 1400 metres of the Sires’ Produce will better suit the filly.
Almost An Angel as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
"The different race structure, differently run, better journey, it gives her a chance to get into the race without having it over and done in a split second," he said on Thursday. "We always intended to target this race third-up, so I've always felt she has had enough fuel left, but we'll wait and see how she goes on Saturday whether we then go to Sydney."
"The different race structure... gives her (Almost An Angel) a chance to get into the race without having it over and done in a split second." - Robbie Griffiths
Agrarian Girl (Tassort) and Chayan (I Am Invincible) are the only runners in the G2 Reisling Stakes currently closest to the Slipper field, having prizemoney in six figures, with eight adversaries still entered in the Slipper but falling short of that threshold. Annabel Archibald is hopeful that the assistance of James McDonald will help Chayan drawing the ugly barrier of nine.
"With 2-year-olds, it's always one run at a time and that was a pretty tough run she had last start,” she told RSN on Thursday. “But she seems to have come through it pretty well."
Only three in the G3 Ottawa Stakes field remain in Slipper contention, with debut winner Scintillation (I Am Invincible) opting to dodge the Reisling in favour of boosting her prizemoney - and chances - in Victoria.
Boys in blue ready for another Group 1 rumble
If there is a word to describe the Godolphin racing team since their transfer to a public training model, it is “formidable” - and that word is particularly fitting for their hand across Saturday’s Group 1 events.
G1 All Star Mile winner Tom Kitten (Harry Angel {Ire}) returns to defend his title at Flemington, and on the same card, Tentyris (Street Boss {USA}) looks to extend his Group 1 streak to three in the G1 Newmarket Handicap. The colt is attempting to do the impossible - or, at least, the never done before - when lumping 57kg round Flemington as a 3-year-old to win this race.
Tentyris | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
"He's flying, so I don't think the weight will stop him,” said Mark Zahra, who returns from a tibial fracture to take the reins on the colt. "He's a funny horse, he doesn't want to go early, but the further he goes, he knows, and halfway through he will start to bridle up and then by the 300 (metres), if he's on song, you're skiing off him and he's ready to let rip. He's a beast."
“His track rider at home is a lot heavier than what he’s carrying on Saturday, so I’m not overly concerned,” quipped co-trainer Sam Freedman on SEN.
"His (Tentyris's) track rider at home is a lot heavier than what he’s carrying on Saturday." - Sam Freedman
Up at Randwick, Group 3 winner Green Spaces (Street Boss {USA}) and G1 Spring Champion Stakes winner Attica (Lonhro) line up in the G1 Randwick Guineas, while Beiwacht (Bivouac) steps closer to his preferred distance in the G1 Canterbury Stakes.
“He’s magnificent, he’s a beast of a horse,” is how trainer Joe Pride described Attica to Racing NSW News. If the colt wins on Saturday, original plans to go to the G1 Australian Derby will be forgone in favour of the G1 Doncaster Mile.
"He’s (Attica) magnificent, he’s a beast of a horse." - Joe Pride
“He’s a colt and if he was to win a Randwick Guineas that’s great for his stud career, a Derby doesn’t add the same emphasis,’’ Pride said. “If he wins, he’s got 50kg in the Doncaster, it’d be near impossible not to put him in it.”
Attica | Image courtesy of Sportpix
As for Green Spaces, trainer Bjorn Baker thinks the best is yet to come when the colt stretches out further.
“It’s a very, very tough race to win,” he told The Verdict. “I think up to 2000 metres, he’s going to be a better horse, possibly even beyond that.”
Perhaps the G1 Rosehill Guineas in his future?
Don’t discount Stefi - or Antino
This year’s All-Star Mile will see a clash of the last two winners - Tom Kitten and Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) - with the resumption of the latter stealing the headlines around the race. But Bjorn Baker feels that his dual Group 1 winner Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard) shouldn’t be forgotten in the pre-race rush to place a bet.
“She’s been a remarkable horse for myself and connections,” he told The Verdict podcast on Thursday. “She’s not the biggest, she’s not the strongest, but she’s just got a great will to win. The minute you write her off, she seems to come out and land the knockout blow. She did that in the Stradbroke and the Doncaster.”
"The minute you write her (Stefi Magnetica) off, she seems to come out and land the knockout blow." - Bjorn Baker
Stefi Magnetica | Image courtesy of Sportpix
The 5-year-old mare has accumulated over $7 million for connections in her 25-start career, run in a G1 The Everest, and continually mixed it with the best. After all, she is only rated two points below Pride Of Jenni.
“She’s been great,” Baker said. “I think she’s in really good order, three weeks between runs suits, and her run behind Autumn Glow (fifth in the Apollo Stakes) was good.”
Stefi Magnetica is the joint second highest rated horse in the field, tied on benchmark with Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) - another runner whose trainer is keen for punters to not forget his stable star.
“(The All-Star Mile) sets up well for him,” said Tony Gollan in his weekly video update to owners. “He’s in good order. The horse looks amazing. It’s hard to fault him at the mile, stepping up to this trip at this track is ideal. We know what’s going to happen in the race - Pride Of Jenni is going to try to break them up mid race and when she does that, hopefully we can get some room and get into the race ourselves.”
"Pride Of Jenni is going to try to break them up mid race and when she does that, hopefully we can get some room and get into the race ourselves." - Tony Gollan
Antino (NZ) | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
Gollan is keen to put the pressure on the frontrunning Pride Of Jenni with Antino, who has three wins over the mile from a total 13 career victories. The 7-year-old was eighth in the G2 Apollo Stakes last start, and Gollan feels that the stars are aligning for a bigger performance in the Mile.
“I’m really confident with him actually,” he said. “Not necessarily confident to win, but I’m confident you will see the improvement in him from that first up run.”
Jockey swaps mix up Canterbury Stakes
The G1 Canterbury Stakes is the other Group 1 on Randwick’s card on Saturday and there’s a changing of the guard across some of the runners that could shake up proceedings.
With two of Zac Lloyd’s regular mounts in the contest, he has opted to ride the 3-year-old Napoleonic (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and hand the reins of Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth), who claimed the Randwick Guineas on this card 12 months ago, over to Dylan Gibbons.
Gibbons expressed gratitude to RSN for the trust of John O’Shea and Tom Charlton to pilot the 4-year-old.
Linebacker (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“They took me under their wing, which I'm very grateful for, and you've seen the winners we've had lately,” he said. “He's (Linebacker) a good horse starting his preparation, so as long as we get things right and start him off well, that will keep the team and connections happy.
“I'd be confident in saying I don't think sharpness will be what beats him on Saturday off his work. I'm very happy with how he is going into it and I'm really looking forward to the race.”
"I'd be confident in saying I don't think sharpness will be what beats him (Linebacker) on Saturday." - Dylan Gibbons
Nash Rawiller is another jockey spoilt for choice and he has opted to ride Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) in the Group 1 contest, handing over the reins of Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) back to Tommy Berry, who guided the 6-year-old to his G1 George Ryder Stakes victory last year. Trainer Ciaron Maher has no ill will for the switch.
"Nash was riding Gringotts, and he said, 'Lady Shenandoah was in second gear the other day. Do you mind if I step off and step on (her)?',” Maher recounted to RSN. “I said, 'no, Gringotts will probably want the run anyway'.
Gringotts (NZ) | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“Tommy has ridden him plenty of times as well and had good success on him, so it didn't make any difference, really.”
The race will serve as a lead-in to a George Ryder defence for the gelding.
"He normally runs very well fresh,” Maher said. “He had 61 (kilos) last year in the Liverpool City Cup, and I think he ran the fastest last 600 for the meeting and was unlucky."
Lees plotting a Randwick upset with Rivellino
It’s no surprise that the punters are not falling over themselves to back Rivellino (Too Darn Hot {GB}) in the Guineas on Saturday; the R. Listed Inglis Millennium winner hasn’t won past 1200 metres, and looked well beaten in the G1 Caulfield Guineas in the spring where he finished eighth.
Nevertheless, trainer Kris Lees thinks the colt has the ability. In his final spring start, Rivellino was second to Godolphin galloper Ohope (I Am Invincible) in the G2 Callander-Presnell Stakes over the trip, and he was only beaten a half length in a race run faster than the Guineas.
Rivellino | Image courtesy of Sportpix
"I realise Rivellino is big odds, but I can't fault him,” said Lees to RSN this week. “When he last ran over the Randwick mile, he was luckless in the Callander-Presnell. This is obviously a stronger race and I think this is a really good crop of 3-year-olds, but he wasn't far off them in the Hobartville.”
"This is obviously a stronger race and I think this is a really good crop of 3-year-olds, but he (Rivellino) wasn't far off them in the Hobartville." - Kris Lees
Rivellino was fifth to fellow Guineas combatant Ninja (Farnan) in the G2 Hobartville Stakes last start, beaten a shade under three lengths.
It’s just a matter of what the colt can bring on raceday. Of the last seven Guineas winners, Converge (Frankel {GB}) and The Autumn Sun were already Group 1 winners over the mile, and Lion’s Roar (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) and Shadow Hero (Pierro) had already won out to 1800 metres and beyond. Communist (Russian Revolution) was a mile winner before running second in the Callander-Presnell in his lead-up, and Celestial Legend and last year’s winner Linebacker were strong 1400-metre winners ahead of their Guineas tilts.
Kris Lees | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Only time will tell if Rivellino has enough in the tank to stretch himself two furlongs further than his previous best.
"We felt it is the right time to put a tongue-tie on him for the Guineas and, in a perfect world, I'd like a touch of rain, but I do think he is ready to run really well,” Lees said.
