G1 Golden Slipper aspirations on the line at Randwick
With the Golden Slipper now just five weeks away, anticipation is building for the southern hemisphere’s richest two-year-old race. Several promising juveniles will be looking to make their mark at Randwick this weekend.
Among the 11 competitors in the Pierro Plate (1100m), three contenders are currently listed at $26 with betting apps or lower in the Slipper betting markets. Race favorite Pallaton is priced at $2.30 for Saturday and $11 for the Golden Slipper, while Coolmore’s United States sits at $15, and the James Cummings-trained Comedy is rated a $26 chance.
Comedy, who debuted with a win at Randwick in October, will race with blinkers for the first time as Cummings aims to enhance his performance.
“We’ve experimented with some gear changes, and we’re pleased with how he’s been working leading up to this race,” Cummings said.
“Any horse with Golden Slipper ambitions needs to perform well against this level of competition.
“He’s training in a way that suggests he can match it with the field.”
Trainer Michael Freedman also has high expectations for Pallaton, who impressed on debut with a dominant victory, finishing almost three lengths ahead of Comedy’s stablemate Chergui.
By Wootton Bassett, the same sire as Golden Slipper favorite Wodeton, Pallaton is expected to get a strong run from barrier two. Freedman is particularly pleased with the colt’s focused and professional demeanor.
“He had a short break after his win, mainly to freshen him up mentally,” Freedman said.
“It was a strong performance, and he made an impression. That’s reflected in the Slipper markets.
“He’s a very straightforward two-year-old, so if he continues progressing over the next few weeks, we’ll be looking at the big one in March.”
Snitzel colt United States is also attracting attention in betting for both the Pierro Plate and Golden Slipper. Trained by Chris Waller, he produced an eye-catching finish in his last start at Randwick, coming from the back of the field to narrowly miss victory behind Open Secret.
With an extra 100m to work with in Saturday’s race, United States should have every chance to showcase his closing speed.
More Racing News
Adelaide hosts Niance's campaign launch
Grahame Begg, the trainer, is travelling to Adelaide featuring his capable mare Niance, potentially opening doors to a Brisbane-focused campaign for the quick runner.Since Flemington lacks fitting sprint races for Niance on Saturday, Begg chooses the Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes (1100m) held at Morphettville.By chance, Flemington's Anzac Day schedule...
Cap Ferrat set for reunion with Williams in Queen Elizabeth II Cup
The top jockey Craig Williams seeks to conclude a demanding weekend on a high note with a Group 1 win in Hong Kong, reuniting with 2025 Hong Kong Derby champion Cap Ferrat in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin come April 26.On Saturday, Williams boasts almost a...
Recon hands Carey elusive Hareeba Stakes success
Pat Carey, the hometown conditioner, has banished his Hareeba Stakes hoodoo after Recon unleashed a dazzling closing effort to take out the prize at Mornington.Carey had endured ongoing frustration in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m), pursuing a victory across several campaigns, notably second with Kelthorpe in 2006 and third via...
All Aged Stakes delivers Beiwacht's second elite victory
Hall of Fame conditioner Chris Waller's unbeaten autumn dominance in Sydney received a fitting finale from Godolphin's Beiwacht, who powered to a determined lead-all-the-way success versus a elite opposition in the Group 1 $1.5 million All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.In addition, Waller filled the first two...
Mornington Cup win gives Kings Valley direct entry to Caulfield Cup
Kings Valley, under the guidance of trainer Ciaron Maher, has clinched a ballot exemption for the Caulfield Cup courtesy of a gritty performance at Mornington.The Listed Mornington Cup conquest on Saturday delivers the 'Golden Ticket' access to the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) scheduled for October.Maher notched his second Mornington...
Pride stable trifecta topped by Mazu in Hall Mark Stakes
At eight years old, the exceptional Mazu maintains his sharp turn of foot and zest for competition, setting the tempo wire-to-wire for his third consecutive triumph in Saturday's Group 3 $250,000 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m).Previously, Pride's star had mastered the Hall Mark on rain-affected surfaces where he excels, but facing...
Waller's record Sydney autumn run ends with Fireball edging Champagne Stakes
Chris Waller, the celebrated Hall of Fame trainer, notched a historic Sydney Saturday Group 1 sweep as Fireball got the better of stable companion Campione D'Italia in Saturday's $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.The autumn carnival's eighth straight (and last) Sydney Saturday of Group 1 races saw Waller...
JRA Plate victory confirms Asterix at his sharpest
The win by Asterix stood out as somewhat surprising compared to Waller's earlier triumphs, given the progressive eight-year-old gelding was dispatched at $16 into the race.Having captured the New Zealand Derby four years back, Asterix lost momentum for a period before flashing his class last summer with a win in...
Strong Frank Packer Plate win boosts Matias for Queensland Derby
With a powerful victory in the Group 3 $250,000 Frank Packer Plate (2000m), Matias has positioned himself firmly in the Queensland Derby picture.Stablemate Snitzel Dancer had triumphed in the Group 3 Carr Stakes only 35 minutes beforehand.Snitzel, under Ryan's guidance, took out an Oakleigh Plate before retiring to Arrowfield Stud,...
Snitzel Dancer's stakes win opens door to Queensland Oaks campaign
Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou's belief in Snitzel Dancer was rewarded as the filly claimed her first stakes victory in the Group 3 $250,000 James HB Carr Stakes (1400m).The trainer was puzzled by the filly's efforts in back-to-back Warwick Farm appearances that launched her season.Yet, her dominant Hawkesbury performance...