By Scott Bailey
The Golden Slipper has long stood as the race every juvenile stable wants to win, and this year’s running again shapes as a fascinating clash of proven form, untapped upside and raw two-year-old speed.
Worth A$5 million and considered a major in the Australian big four Group Ones. The 1200m feature remains the world’s richest race for two-year-olds, and that alone gives it a status few juvenile contests anywhere can match. It is the sort of race that can define a horse, launch a stallion career, elevate a filly’s broodmare value and instantly turn a promising youngster into a headline act.
This year’s edition has drawn together the key Sydney and Melbourne lead-up form, with the Blue Diamond, Reisling, Todman, Silver Slipper, Pago Pago, Skyline and Magic Night all feeding into what looks an open and deep renewal.
The locally owned Chayan adds a strong Singapore angle to the race and comes into it on the back of a performance that demanded attention. Prepared by Annabel and Rob Archibald, the filly was dominant in the Reisling Stakes at Randwick, powering home to score by just under three lengths in a win that was far more convincing than the margin alone suggested. She travelled into the race with ease, quickened when asked and put the race away in the style of a filly peaking at the right time.
That last start win also suggested Chayan is thriving back in Sydney after her Blue Diamond run. She had previously finished second to Streisand in the Blue Diamond Prelude before not quite featuring in the Group 1 itself, but her Reisling victory showed there was plenty of merit in her earlier work. Back to Randwick, back to 1200m and with a much sharper finish, she looked a different horse. From a Singapore perspective, it gives the Golden Slipper an added layer of intrigue, with owner Eric Koh represented in the biggest juvenile race on the Australian calendar if not the world.
Streisand brings the standout Group 1 form into the race after her Blue Diamond triumph. She has now put together a very strong record and has already proven herself at elite level at 1200m. Her win at Caulfield had authority about it and she had already advertised her quality when taking out the Blue Diamond Prelude. She is clearly one of the major contenders and deserves that status.
Closer To Free and Guest House also emerge from the Blue Diamond with strong claims. Closer To Free was excellent in finishing second in that race after winning the colts and geldings Prelude, while Guest House was right there again in third. Both have consistently measured up against good company, and both profiles suggest they can be competitive in a Golden Slipper of this nature.
Among the Sydney colts, Paradoxium has done little wrong. His Todman Stakes win was sharp and professional, taking control of the race and holding his rivals at bay. Stretan Ruler, who chased him home there after winning the Silver Slipper at Rosehill by a widening margin, has also built a very solid case. He looks tough, adaptable and genuine, and he has already shown he can absorb pressure and still finish off.
Campione D’Italia is the horse who may divide opinion. His Skyline Stakes win was achieved by the barest of margins, but it was still a Group 2 win at 1200m and that counts for plenty in this race. He remains lightly raced and may still have more improvement to come than some of the others around him.
Fireball is another who cannot be dismissed. His Millennium win was strong and he clearly has talent, but his Skyline run was less decisive. The addition of blinkers and James McDonald being booked is an interesting move and one that suggests connections are looking to sharpen him for the big stage. If he improves off that latest effort, he is capable of bouncing back into serious contention.
Warwoven arrives with winning momentum after taking out the Pago Pago Stakes and has now won three of four starts. If he was allowed to run in the Magic Millions Classic in January and won would be more in the conversation but he is a classy individual from a hot in form stable. Pembrey, too, comes through a key fillies’ lead-up after a commanding Magic Night Stakes success, while Spicy Miss stamped her credentials with victory in the Sweet Embrace.
Then there is Music Time, whose Black Opal Stakes win was full of merit. Canberra form does not always get the same attention as the major Sydney and Melbourne lead-ups, but the manner of the performance was hard to ignore, especially given he dictated and kept going.
What makes this year’s race particularly compelling is that there does not appear to be one completely dominant juvenile towering above the rest. Instead, there is a broad spread of genuine hopes from multiple form lines, which often makes for the most interesting Golden Slippers.
From a tippingl viewpoint, Chayan is easy to warm to. She is lightly raced, progressive and comes into the race off one of the most visually impressive lead-up wins of the season. The step into the Slipper cauldron is never easy, but on recent form she has earned her place and looks capable of making her presence felt with champion rider Craig Williams taking the ride.
