2025 Golden Slipper dream alive for connections of Shaggy

Wyong trainer Allan Kehoe was so ecstatic after Shaggy’s dominant win in the Listed Pierro Plate at Randwick that he nearly celebrated in unconventional fashion.

“I was that excited, I could have done a nude run,” Kehoe laughed.

His excitement was well justified as the two-year-old produced a powerful front-running display, shifting gears in the straight to score an emphatic victory in Saturday’s 1100m feature. Along the way, he toppled Golden Slipper contenders Pallaton and United States.

Now undefeated in three career starts, Shaggy’s performance has prompted connections to reconsider their initial plans. Instead of heading to the Wellington Boot, they have set their sights on next month’s Golden Slipper 2025.

“We all dream of winning the Golden Slipper, so that’s the plan for now,” Kehoe said.

“He’ll go to the Todman Stakes in a fortnight, and we’ll let him tell us from there.

“He was explosive. He actually bashed them.”

Although not originally nominated for the Slipper, connections have the option of paying a late entry fee. Following his latest triumph, Shaggy has firmed into $11 second favorite for the $5 million race, according to Australian betting markets.

The gelding is a half-brother to two-time winner Moonlight Grace, another runner from Kehoe’s stable. Determined to secure another member of the family, Kehoe approached Shaggy’s breeder and managing owner, Kooringal Stud’s Angus Lamont, at the sales.

“They ended up pulling him out of the sale, and Angus called me, saying, ‘Do you want to give him a go?’ It all started from there,” Kehoe recalled.

“I reckon I deserve a good one, don’t I? I’ve been at this since I was thirteen, and now I’m forty-one.”

Jockey Adam Hyeronimus, who picked up the late ride after Aaron Bullock was unable to make the weight, was full of praise for the youngster.

“Aaron really wanted to get down to this weight today, and that’s not easy for him—he tried for a reason,” Hyeronimus said.

“The best thing about Shaggy is he’s bombproof. He jumps fast, relaxes well, and even though he faced pressure in the run, he never fought the bridle or took off.

“At the top of the straight, they came at him, but the way he responded and pulled clear was a big tick.”

Sent off at $7.50, Shaggy—who earned his name due to his amorous tendencies before being gelded—cruised to a 2¼-length victory over Comedy ($16), with Skyhook ($5) a further long neck away in third.

Pallaton, the $2.05 favorite, was given every chance but couldn’t match Shaggy’s late acceleration. Jockey Zac Lloyd remained optimistic about the colt’s potential.

“He’s a lovely colt. I thought I was home until the 200-metre mark, but the winner found another gear late,” Lloyd said.

“He’s still learning his craft.”