Danny O'Brien seeks Grand Slam completion via Closer To Free in Golden Slipper
When Closer To Free lines up in this Saturday's Golden Slipper, Danny O'Brien will pursue induction into a distinguished circle.
Securing the $5 million Group 1 at Rosehill would enable the Victorian trainer to notch the full Grand Slam of Australian thoroughbred racing.
Only Chris Waller, among trainers active in Australia, has conquered the Golden Slipper, Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate.
David Hayes represents the other currently active figure to achieve it, though he now operates from Hong Kong.
Besides Lee Freedman as the only other survivor, Bart Cummings, Tommy Smith, Colin Hayes, Jack Denham and Maurice McCarten also accomplished the set.
Every one of the eight who succeeded is enshrined in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame, leaving O'Brien eager for his prime chance to nab the planet's top juvenile prize.
"You don't get many opportunities in a Slipper, because you've got to have the right horse," O'Brien said.
"We haven't had that many of them, so it'd be fantastic if we could tick that last box."
Since rounding out the Melbourne trio of the Slam with Vow And Declare's 2019 Melbourne Cup, O'Brien hasn't had a Slipper entrant.
The trainer claimed the Caulfield Cup using Master O'Reilly back in 2007 and the Cox Plate with Shamus Award in 2013.
Truthfully, O'Brien's lone Golden Slipper link was in 2011, as Running Tall placed 11th at $41 in Sepoy's winning year.
O'Brien figured he'd watch 2026's early stages from afar, with Closer To Free arriving at his yard only in early February.
This Street Boss colt fetched $60,000 at the previous Inglis Classic Sale, began under trainer Adrian Corboy in Wangaratta, and shifted after Sean Buckley's purchase following a strong January 29 Caulfield trial.
Originally absent from Golden Slipper nominations, he slotted in after a $150,000 late fee was lodged Monday.
Accompanying Closer To Free as late additions were Pembrey, fresh from last Saturday's Magic Night Stakes win, and Music Time from the Black Opal.
His Slipper ticket came from a gutsy second in the Group 1 Blue Diamond after breaking his maiden in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude.
Untouched since February 21's Blue Diamond, the colt shifted to Sydney early this month and trialled brilliantly over 1030m at Rosehill on March 10.
O'Brien values Jamie Melham's input from that trial, as she rides Closer To Free Saturday, and praises the colt's Sydney acclimation.
"He travelled up well, he's settled well, he trialled well and he's a very straight-forward colt," he said.
"Nothing seems to bother him. Everything he does, he just takes in his stride. He's got a great attitude.
"Jamie Melham jumped on him for the first time the other morning and she was very impressed with him.
"We just need, hopefully, a nice enough barrier and we'll see what the weather does, but there's not too many boxes left to tick with him. He's ready to go."
Tuesday morning's barrier draw will lock in the Golden Slipper runners, with Closer To Free quoted at $11 all-in.
Visit leading online bookmakers for the latest Golden Slipper betting markets and specials.
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