The Group 1 Golden Slipper is this Saturday’s feature event at Rosehill Gardens. With the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes, Ranvet Stakes, Rosehill Guineas, and the Galaxy also featuring on the stunning program, this is arguably Australia’s greatest race day! In Melbourne, the Group 1 William Reid Stakes takes centre stage. Can anyone stop the flying Jimmysstar who demolished his rivals fresh in the Group 1 Oakleigh plate?
Rosehill Race 5
#6 Via Sistina
Via Sistina was a brilliant second-up Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes winner. The World-Class mare sprouted wings as the field charged over the famous Randwick Rise, and she was braver than Mel Gibson in the shadows. The Fastnet Rock mare finds her pet distance third-up from a spell and looks extremely well placed in this company. The rising eight-year-old will occupy the box seat throughout, and if she is presented with her run at the right time, her rivals will be competing for the minor end of the prize. Hard to toss!
Fawkner Park is ready to win. His performance fresh was ominous, and I suspect he entered most punters’ little black book. His record at the track and distance is perfect, and I suspect he is about to produce the campaign of a lifetime. He deserves his shot at Group 1 glory and is a must for broader multiples and exotics. Watch for him late!
Suggested Bet: Via Sistina @ $1.50
Rosehill Race 6
#1 Broadsiding
Broadsiding is ready for 2000m. His fresh victory over 1400m was arrogant, and he beat all bar the flying Linebacker second-up over a mile. The last time he stepped out over 2000m, the Too Darn Hot colt recorded the third fastest time in Cox Plate history, and he traditionally motors third-up from a spell. His late sectionals have been terrific in both runs this campaign, and I suspect he is ready to produce a peak performance during the pointy out of the contest on Saturday. The heavy market support should give his fans further confidence, and I expect him to leave the barriers as a long odds-on favourite. Cometh the hour, cometh the man.
Goldrush Guru is the logical danger to the Godolphin-owned favourite. The American Pharoah colt caught the eyes of punters late in the Group 1 Australian Guineas, and I expect the Victoria Derby winner to peak and explode on Saturday. I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his key rivals with several impressive runs under his belt, and I expect this event to be his grand final for the autumn campaign. With even luck in transit, he will play a role in the final furlong.
Suggested Bet: Broadsiding @ $2.30
#5 Gringotts
Gringotts savaged the line fresh carrying the grandstand! The Per Incanto gelding will appreciate the step out in trip second-up, and I suspect he will receive the run of the race from a perfect inside draw. The consistent five-year-old has plenty of residual fitness from lengthy spring and summer preparations, and his versatility alone puts one hoof on the till. This is clearly his biggest test to date.
Fangirl is a marvel. The Sebring mare was a brilliant first-up winner of the Group 2 Apollo Stakes before narrowly going down in the shadows to the World-Class mare Via Sistina, second-up in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes. The rising seven-year-old will drift back from barrier nine, and if she doesn’t get too far out of her ground during the middle stages of the contest, she can figure in the finish. Her record at the track and trip is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Gringotts @ $9.00
Rosehill Race 8
#8 Wodeton
Wodeton is ready to peak in the richest two-year-old race on the planet. The Wootton Bassett colt appeared to have every chance to claim the Group 2 Todman Stakes at his latest outing, however; he snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in the shadows. The start prior he was luckless in-transit, and it was a horror watch for those who took the prohibitable odds. The expensive Coolmore commodity has drawn to get a soft run throughout, and if he sees clear air before they run for the doctor, I expect him to figure in the finish. James McDonald retains the ride, and the Chris Waller factor should never be underestimated. The big boy has taken a similar path to the 2023 Golden Slipper Champion Shinzo, and I suspect the real Wodeton is going to turn up on Saturday. Hard to toss.
Skyhook looks dangerous on the quick back-up. The Written Tycoon Colt was ultra-impressive in the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes, and he deservedly booked his shot at history on Saturday. The form around Shaggy and Rivellino reads well for this event, and he has been well-supported since the official barrier draw was conducted on Tuesday. The 1200m is in his wheelhouse, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals. Kerrin McEvoy sticks with the flashy two-year-old, and if the dynamic duo can find the bunny during the race’s early stages, they will look the winners as they swing for home. Acid test!
Suggested Bet: Wodeton @ $5.00
Rosehill Race 9
#13 Private Harry
Private Harry returns to racing with an air of expectation surrounding him. The undefeated Harry Angel colt was a brilliant last-start winner during the Magic Millions carnival on the Gold Coast, and the form around him has stood up time and again. His recent barrier trials have gained plenty of attention, and he is ideally drawn in a middle gate for Saturday’s Group 1 assignment. The 53kg is luxurious, and if I can find the bunny during the race’s early stages, I expect him to claim a very thin edition of the Galaxy. Hard to toss!
Commemorative was a brilliant last-start winner at Randwick over 1200m. The I Am Invincible mare has upside and progression for days, and she has a sense of timing about her. The 51kg brings her into all winning conversations, and I suspect she will get a cozy run in transit from the inside draw. The talented four-year-old possesses a devastating turn of foot, and she has the ability to produce blistering late sectionals. Her racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Suggested Bet: Private Harry @ $3.30
the valley Race 9
#1 Jimmysstar
Jimmysstar blew away his rivals fresh in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield. He resembled a jet plane during the final furlong, and it was a devastating display of speed and high performance. The Per Incanto gelding is undefeated second-up, and he boasts a victory at 1200m from his only attempt. The form around Another Wil speaks volumes, and the lightly raced five-year-old scarily has further improvement to come. I am unsure the tight turning Moonee Valley circuit will suit his racing pattern and style.
Rey Magnerio is coming off a forgive run in the Group 1 Newmarket at Flemington. The Magnus gelding over raced during the early stages of the event, and his chance of victory was well gone before they reached the clocktower. From barrier four he can slide forward and take up a prominent role, and if the favourite gets too far out of his ground, he will look the winner inside the final furlong. He will give a great sight at a decent price!
Suggested Bet: Jimmysstar @ $3.20
