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2014 Golden Slipper: Live updates, preview, top tips and results

Roar Guru
5th April, 2014
Field

1. Unencumbered
2. Jabali
3. Ghibellines
4. Valentia
5. Cornrow
6. Law
7. Modoc
8. Risen From Doubt
9. Earthquake
10. Mossfun
11. Oakleigh Girl
12. Eloping
13. Alpha Miss
14. Bring Me The Maid
15. Memorial
16. Believe Yourself
17. Scratch Me Lucky (1st emerg)
Gai Waterhouse chooses jockeys according to her own specific procedure. (Image: AAP)
Roar Guru
5th April, 2014
25
2512 Reads

The Golden Slipper (1200m, Group 1, two-year-olds, set weights) is the richest two-year-old race in the world. The race is set for 5:00pm, so join us for our live blog for all the build up.

History tells us the Todman Stakes, for the colts, and the Reisling Stakes, for the fillies, are the key lead up contests; no surprise when you consider they are two weeks before the big race.

Earthquake is the commanding favourite following her dominant win in the Blue Diamond before a strong all-the-way victory in the Reisling. While she has drawn a tricky barrier, she has overcome it before and is full of class.

Mossfun was second in that race where horses didn’t really change positions up the straight. She won the Silver Slipper Stakes on a wet track in impressive style and has the in-form Hawkes-McDonald combination.

Of the other fillies, Alpha Miss made good ground in the Reisling, while Memorial can bounce back after a disappointing run. Bring Me The Maid finished strongly in the wet last week and Believe Yourself is unbeaten, untapped and trainer Gerald Ryan has a terrific record with the two-year-olds this season.

Oakleigh Girl has been freshened since her game second in the Magic Millions. She was initially bypassing the race (which is a concern), however the stable have given her two trials in preparation.

The colts are headlined by Unencumbered, who defeated Oakleigh Girl in that Magic Millions after a peach of a ride by the late Nathan Berry. Bjorn Baker has put the blinkers on, so look for him to be ridden positively from a wide gate.

Ghibellines was a strong winner of Todman and on face value was more impressive than Earthquake (also won on the day). It is tough to see the horses behind him turning the tables, especially from a favourable draw.

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Mick Price has Blue Diamond placegetters Jabali and Cornrow, who are both consistent, but both maidens. While Jabali was plain in the Todman, Cornrow made some ground in the straight, but was no match for the winner.

Gai Waterhouse is after her sixth Golden Slipper (and third in a row) and has Valentia and Law engaged. The former won the Skyline Stakes at Randwick, while Law has been freshened since his failure in the Silver Slipper.

The wet track makes the race even more complicated, however the fillies do seem to have the wood over the boys. It is sure to be another interesting instalment of on of Australia’s most exciting races.

Roar racing writers’ autumn tipping competition (five points if winning horse is tipped for first; three points if tipped for second; two for third and one for fourth):

Sam Kelly – Today’s live blogger
1. Mossfun
2. Earthquake
3. Ghibellines
4. Believe Yourself

Justin Cinque – Roar Racing Editor
1. Earthquake
2. Mossfun
3. Ghibellines
4. Valentia

Cameron Rose – Roar Expert
1. Earthquake
2. Mossfun
3. Alpha Miss
4. Believe Yourself

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Alfred Chan – Roar Guru
1. Ghibellines
2. Earthquake
3. Oakleigh Girl
4. Valentia

Brad Durrant – Roar Guru
1. Earthquake
2. Bring Me The Maid
3. Mossfun
4. Unencumbered

Brent Ford – Roar Guru
1. Earthquake
2. Mossfun
3. Believe Yourself
4. Unencumbered

Points tally after Rosehill Guineas Day
Brent Ford – 19
Alfred Chan – 13
Brad Durrant – 11
Cameron Rose – 10
Justin Cinque – 8

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