Here we are Golden Slipper Day and we kick off the big races with the $500,000 Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m). Join us before the race start time at 2:30pm AEDT for pre race commentary and tips.
This race is another case of a small field that is high on quality, we will start the preview with the favourite.
Contributor has been fantastic in his return from a spell claiming the Group 1 Chipping Norton (1600m) beating home Hartnell by half a length. He has never missed the place over this distance winning four of five, and he is ultra consistent.
He is short at $2.30 in the market, but that has been value for him before.
Lucia Valentina was ultra impressive last campaign but she just hasn’t found it so far this preparation. Still like Contributor she has only been beaten home once over this distance in three starts.
Would probably like the track with a bit if sting out of it, and at $6 is not good enough on the form she has shown.
Beware of the Japanese and Tosen Stardom could be the case of that. Has won at the distance but for mine the weight could be an issue with him winning. At $5.50 it’s not enough for my liking
He’s Your Man is another star of the track and was third behind Contributor in the Chipping Norton a few weeks back. Is suited at this distance and will give it a red not crack, can he overturn the tables on Contributor? $5 is probably some good value
Silent Achiever one that has been solid over the distance and has a great record at the track, only missing out on the trifecta once in five attempts. Won this race last year and for mine she is the pick of the bunch in this race. At $6 I think she is some great value.
Happy to take on Dominant and Fast Dragon.
Brent Ford selections
1. Silent Achiever 2. He’s Your Man 3. Contributor 4. Lucia Valentina
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Next up we have the Guineas!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Quinella pays $4.70, exacta pays $8.80, trifecta $32.90, First 4 $93.10 Final result: 1. Contributor 2. Tosen Stardom 3. Lucia Valentina 4. Silent Achiever
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
John O'Shea said he can't tell you how much work goes into this horse, it's a big team effort and you saw the result there. What a win from Contributor he is a true champion.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
John Ferguson said he won the Wilbeton and that's what made them buy him and bring him to Australia. He said John O'Shea did a magnificent job with the horse, he hopes Contributor can keep this form but he said these two Group 1 victories are a testament to everyone who works at Godolphin.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
James McDonald loves it, he wants to get this party started, he admits he was slow away but said his runner is superior to any other runner in this country.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Tosen Stardom certainly one to keep an eye on following the race.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Contributor comes from the back and he swamps them, Tosen Stardom runs from the cushy draw to get second and Lucia Valentina gets home for third. Silent Achiever hangs on for fourth, that was a great race and the top horse has won and done it well.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
They work down the back of the 1200m and Fast Dragon still there and Silent Achiever running second, Tosen Stardom is third and Dominant is also there. Fast Dragon has taken off and he has put lengths on them rounding into the turn!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Fast Dragon goes to the lead from Silent Achiever, Tosen Stardom and Dominant will go fourth. Contributor, Lucia Valentina and He's Your Man last.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
All in and we are off!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Tosen Stardom some moves late for it.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Runners going into the barriers now.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Love the new camera angle on the Thoroughbred Central channel.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Yasutoshi Ikee said the gate isn't ideal for his horse, but since he has arrived he looks handy.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Roger James said there is a chance Silent Achiever will end up handy here, there will be either the Queen Elizabeth or the BMW as the goal this campaign.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
John Moore said his runner Dominant looks good, but it's hard to gauge the form of his runner. He said he is as good as some of the other runners in the race, believes he is up to the grade but because he is a travelling horse there are question marks.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Runners heading to the barrier now. Ron Dufficy has Tosen Stardom on top from Contributor, He's Your Man and then Silent Achiever. It will be interesting to see where Tommy has the Japanese runner today.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Contributor my pick of the yard. He looks so composed, super fit and he could be ready to win today.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Silent Achiever the ultimate professional and looks super calm. Lucia Valentina a calm runner she looks the good.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
He's Your Man looks good in the yard, Fast Dragon expect him to lead here, it will be tough. Tosen Stardom will be ridden by Tommy Berry. He's not sweating, looks real fit in the yard.