Golden Slipper day: Group 1 preview and tips

Golden Slipper day, still the jewel in the Sydney racing crown, is upon us.

The highlight will be the mad scamper for two-year-olds itself, complimented by four other Group 1s – the small but select fields in the Rosehill Guineas and Ranvet Stakes, a deep Galaxy for the sprinters, and the million dollar George Ryder Stakes.

Vancouver is the easing punters elect, thanks to drawing the second-widest barrier.

Undefeated in three starts going back to the Breeders’ Plate in October, he’s won his races with something in hand, yet despite the Gai Waterhouse spruik and polish, always jumps at backable odds. He’ll do so again, and may find bad luck, but is still the one to beat.

Exosphere, for Godolphin, is now vying for favouritism from a middle barrier, with punters remembering his dominant Skyline win. That James McDonald is on board doesn’t hurt the colt’s chances.

The unbeaten Haptic is the forgotton John O’Shea horse, and can make an impact on the speed from the cosiest draw. He goes in multiples.

Ready for Victory is in the market coming up from Victoria for Mick Price, but I need more convincing after his debut win.

Looking at the Melbourne form, Reemah is at crazy odds after running a slashing second in the Blue Diamond. She’ll appreciate a hot tempo, and the Diamond usually stands up for trifecta’s and first fours in the Slipper.

She’s the value, and we know how hot the David Hayes and Tom Dabernig yard has been in recent times. Hayes generally has an impact in the Slipper when he’s got a runner too.

Lake Geneva is in the race after a Blue Diamond placing too, and has the benefit of a run the Sydney way this prep. Her form ties in with the second tier Slipper form.

It’s a hectic race, we never quite know who’s trained off, and two year olds can be open to so much improvement and gains in maturity into their grand final.

Don’t forget to check out Adam Page’s horse by horse Golden Slipper preview here on The Roar.

Selections: 1.Vancouver 2.Exosphere 3.Haptic 4.Reemah

The George Ryder is a fascinating race with a mixture of our weight-for-age horses, three-year-olds and a couple of Japanese.

Shooting To Win has been slightly disappointing in his two runs this campaign, defeated as favourite both times, with Hallowed Crown and Sweynesse finding the better of him each time, but he’s drawn to be in the race up to his ears again.

Kermadec is the other three year old, and could easily be one coming off a Group 1 win last start, if Nash Rawiller had done a better steering job in the Australian Guineas.

Cosmic Endeavour is a dual Group 1 winner herself that is only getting better for Gai Waterhouse. We know how much the trainer loves this day.

World Ace and Real Impact from Japan won’t surprise, particularly the former given his solid Group 1 form over there, but we’ll need our international experts to give us a leg up on these in the comments below.

It’s Somewhat was yet another import to win first-up in Australia, doing so with something in hand, and he’s a genuine threat, although we must be wary of a second-up flat run.

Criterion mixed it with the world’s best in December, and returned in fine style two weeks ago. Of course, any of Chris Waller’s horses could pop up at odds we’re not used to seeing from his runners in these sort of races.

Selections: 1.Criterion 2.Cosmic Endeavour 3.Shooting To Win 4.World Ace

The Galaxy has attracted a quality field of even sprinters, reflected in the market for what is a fantastic betting race.

The Deep Field bubble has well and truly burst, looking pretty plain in his two runs this campaign. It would be a surprise to see him turn it around so quickly.

Kuro won well with a big weight first up, and now drops to the minimum in this race. His Coolmore Stud placing in the spring indicates his class, and we’ve seen what Brazen Beau has done since to add further credit.

Fast N Rocking is the only horse Group 1 placed at his last start, and brings the right form for this sort of race, even getting weight relief from his Oakleigh Plate third. A middle barrier in a big field is his go.

Avoid Lightning has had a funny prep for this sort of race, dropping back 200m second-up, but she’s too consistent to leave out, with form that has been franked at Group 1 level.

Sweet Idea and Miracles of Life have their share of weight for mares, but have more than earned it. Sweet Idea won at WFA against the boys first-up last prep, while Miracles of Life won arrogantly first-up in the Challenge Stakes.

Va Pensiero meets Miracles of Life 4kg’s better from the Challenge, and can figure at odds. Chloe in Paris is going places for Ciaron Maher, but it might be too soon for her.

Flamberge is always somewhere there about, and won’t know himself with this weight. He’s a huge value hope, and Peter Moody knows how to spring a surprise up in Sydney.

Selections: 1.Fast N Rocking 2.Kuro 3.Flamberge 4.Sweet Idea

Hallowed Crown and Sweynesse square off again after providing that exacta in both the Hobartville Stakes and Randwick Guineas.

Sweynesse will eat up 2000m, but needs to find that winning feeling again. Hallowed Crown certainly has that feeling down pat, and why can’t he do it again?

Mongolian Khan brings a long winning streak with him across the Tasman, including the Group 1 New Zealand Derby. Murray Baker only brings them over to win, so we can be confident that he’ll measure up.

Volkstok’n’barrell has chased Mongolian Khan home at his last two, and has a couple of lengths to make up.

Selections: 1.Sweynesse 2.Hallowed Crown 3.Mongolian Khan 4.Volkstok’n’barrell

The fifth Group 1 on the day, although actually the first in race order, is the Ranvet Stakes.

Contributor is the horse to beat after his Apollo Stakes and Chipping Norton victories so far this prep.

He’s Your Man might be the horse than can upset the favourite, he’s building nicely to a win at some point this campaign. Silent Achiever will be somewhere around the mark, and we know Lucia Valentina can bounce back from a flat second-up run, as she did in the spring when taking out the Turnbull Stakes.

Dominant, from Hong Kong, deserves respect, but will likely want it a touch further. Tosen Stardom from Japan is right in the market, and will obviously take some beating.

Selections: 1.He’s Your Man 2.Contributor 3.Tosen Stardom 4.Silent Achiever