The Golden Slipper is the crown jewel of the Sydney Autumn Carnival, and we will be treated to another exciting edition of the world’s richest two-year-old race this Saturday at Rosehill.

The $5 million feature has attracted some of the top juveniles from around the country, including Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s undefeated filly Coolangatta, as well as last month’s Blue Diamond Stakes winner, Daumier.

The Snowden’s will be looking to win the race for a third time with either Revolutionary Miss or Russian Conquest, while Gary Portelli has a chance to win a second Slipper with recent hat-trick winner Fireburn.

Another wet track looks to only complicate matters, and there really is a case to be made for most in this year’s field.

For my thoughts on every runner, check out my 2022 Golden Slipper preview below.

1. Daumier (8)
Group 1s: 2022 Blue Diamond Stakes, Record: 3-2:0:1, Track: 0:0-0-0, Distance: 1:1-0-0, Trainer: Anthony and Sam Freedman, Jockey: Mark Zahra, Odds: $18.00

This horse hasn’t missed a place in three starts and was an impressive winner of the Blue Diamond last time out at Caulfield. This horse bolted in from midfield and found something extra when challenged by the fast-finishing Revolutionary Miss. There is a query racing on a wet track for the first time this horse has tremendous talent and the in-form Mark Zahra steering. This horse is hoping to become the sixth horse to complete the Blue Diamond-Golden Slipper double. I can’t see him winning as he was a bit lucky in the Diamond and the Sydney two-year-olds are superior.

2. Sejardan (7)
Group 1s: 0, Record: 4-3:0:1, Track: 1:1-0-0, Distance: 1:1-0-0, Trainer: Gary Portelli, Jockey: Jason Collett, Odds: $6.00

This horse is the winner of last year’s Golden Gift. This horse has won three form four to begin his career and was impressive as the short-priced favourite winning the Todman Stakes at Randwick two weeks ago. This horse is proven on all going and is drawn to get back and run on from barrier seven. This horse seems to have another gear left to go and is one of the top players based on everything he’s accomplished so far. He’s the one they’ve all got to beat and at around the $6-$7 mark, he’s a brilliant win bet. Portelli is a master two-year-old trainer.

3. Best Of Bordeaux (10)
Group 1s: 0, Record: 2:2-0-0, Track: 2:2-0-0, Distance: 0:0-0-0, Trainer: Kacy Fogden, Jockey: TBD, Odds: $10.00

This horse is an undefeated colt that has won the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes and the Silver Slipper in succession. This horse hasn’t faced a heavy track before, but relished the sting out of the ground last time out, leading all the way. This horse found an extra gear over the final stages and looks as though he might be wanting 1200 metres now. This horse won his trial at Warwick Farm last week quite well and is likely to be among those on speed. This horse is definitely a winning hope.

4. Shalatin (5)
Group 1s: 0, Record: 4-0:1:1, Track: 2:0-1-0, Distance: 1:0-0-1, Trainer: Joseph Pride, Jockey: Nash Rawiller, Odds: $26.00

This horse is a four-start maiden that stuck on well for third in the Todman Stakes two weeks ago. This horse just lacked the speed necessary in the finish but does look set to peak now third-up. This horse will be better for a run on heavy going and maps to be saving his best for late. I can’t have this horse.

5. Jacquinot (11)
Group 1s: 0, Record: 3-1:0:1, Track: 0:0-0-0, Distance: 2:1-0-1, Trainer: Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr, Jockey: Hugh Bowman, Odds: $17.00

This horse won by a clear margin on debut at Caulfield on Boxing Day and appears to be working towards another win. This horse missed the start off a break in the Blue Diamond Prelude but made up a track of ground to run third to Daumier in the main event two weeks later. This horse is fitter now, and has a case if he handles rain-affected going for the first time. This horse is a nice each-way hope.

6. Sebonack (15)
Group 1s: 0, Record: 2-1:0:0, Track: 0:0-0-0, Distance: 1:0-0-0, Trainer: Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, Jockey: William Pike, Odds: $34.00

This horse won by over a length on debut at Caulfield and was among those hitting the line late for fourth in the Blue Diamond. This horse probably deserved to finish closer after being held up at the top of the straight but still showed plenty of class to just miss out on a place. This horse has drawn another awkward gate, but does have the in-form William Pike steering for the first time. The whisper is his work at Flemington prior to this has been super and this horse is a definite knock-out hope.

7. Rise Of The Masses (20)
Group 1s: 0, Record: 4-2:1:1, Track: 1:1-0-0, Distance: 2:1-1-0, Trainer: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Jockey: Tim Clark, Odds: $61.00

This horse is on a quick back-up after winning the Pago Pago at Rosehill last Saturday in what was an impressive front-running performance under Tim Clark. Both wins have come on heavy going so far and he’ll likely try and make his own luck up on speed from the wide gate. Waterhouse trains so how can you ever pot any of her Slipper two-year-olds. This horse is the best roughy.

8. Coolangatta (14)
Group 1s: 0, Record: 3-3:0:0, Track: 0:0-0-0, Distance: 2:2-0-0, Trainer: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Jockey: James McDonald, Odds: $5.00

This horse is an undefeated filly that put the writing on the wall with an impressive win in the Gimcrack Stakes at Randwick last October. This horse has since resumed to win another Group 3 at Doomben, as well as the Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic on the Gold Coast. This horse flew home late to score narrowly that day and has been kept fresh for what is obviously her grand final. This horse hasn’t raced on heavy going before and will need a touch of luck after drawing a very ugly gate. This horse might just be the best of what is an average bunch and complete the double.

9. Revolutionary Miss (17)
Group 1s: 0, Record: 4-1:3:0, Track: 1:0-1-0, Distance: 2:0-2-0, Trainer: Peter and Paul Snowden, Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy, Odds: $21.00

This horse is a promising filly that hasn’t put a foot wrong in four starts to date. This horse won the Blue Diamond Fillies Prelude by three-quarters of a length last month and was beaten by a lip two weeks later in the main event by Daumier. This horse made up enormous ground in the finish and warrants plenty of respect on that performance. Like a few others, this horse has the awkward draw to contend with, but she might be over the odds if she handles heavy going for the first.

10. Russian Conquest (16)
Group 1s: 0, Record: 4-2:1:0, Track: 0:0-0-0, Distance: 2:0-1-0, Trainer: Peter and Paul Snowden, Jockey: Tommy Berry, Odds: $13.00

This horse made it two wins from two starts to begin her career before finishing a narrow second to Coolangatta in the two-year-old Magic Millions Classic. This horse gave a good chase to put a real scare into the favourite that day and lost no admirers running 2.5 lengths fourth to Seven Veils in the Reisling Stakes. This horse should be rock-hard fit now at this stage of her prep and is in good hands under last year’s Slipper winner, Tommy Berry.

11. Queen Of The Ball (3)
Group 1s: 0, Record: 4-2:1:0, Track: 2:1-0-0, Distance: 1:1-0-0, Trainer: Richard and Michael Freedman, Jockey: Ms Rachel King, Odds: $17.00

This horse is on a quick back-up after winning Sunday’s Black Opal Stakes as the short-priced favourite in Canberra. This horse led all the way that day thanks to a brilliant steer from Rachel King and will likely make her own luck on speed again. This horse handled a wet track okay for fifth in the Silver Slipper and has definite each-way claims.

12. Fireburn (2)
Group 1s: 0, Record: 4-3:0:0, Track: 0:0-0-0, Distance: 3:3-0-0, Trainer: Gary Portelli, Jockey: Brenton Avdulla, Odds: $11.00

This horse made it a hat trick with an impressive win in the Sweet Embrace Stakes three weeks ago. This horse got clear at the 150-metre mark and was eased down late to win by three-quarters of a length. This horse had plenty left to spare and is also proven on heavy going now. This horse is drawn to get a lovely run again from midfield and is one of the top value plays.

13. Ojai (12)
Group 1s: 0, Record: 5-1:0:2, Track: 3:0-0-1, Distance: 1:0-0-1, Trainer: James Cummings, Jockey: Chad Schofield, Odds: $41.00

This horse has finished no worse than fifth in five starts to date. This horse won on debut at Randwick over much shorter and should be plenty fit now for three runs back. This horse lacked an extra gear down the straight but still stuck on well for third last time out in the Reisling Stakes. This horse is worth consideration in exotics.

14. Seven Veils (19)
Group 1s: 0, Record: 2-1:10, Track: 0:0-0-0, Distance: 1:1-0-0, Trainer: Mark Newnham, Jockey: Joshua Parr, Odds: $31.00

This horse is an impressive winner of the Reisling Stakes last time out. This horse led all the way and really found an extra gear inside the final 100 metres to win by nearly two lengths. This horse has made only two starts to date but could be over the odds if you can get past the ugly draw. She’s a great bet as being wide on the track won’t be an issue as we saw last week.

15. Lady Laguna (13)
Group 1s: 0, Record: 4-2:1:1, Track: 1:1-0-0, Distance: 1:0-0-1, Trainer: Annabel Neasham, Jockey: Ms Linda Meech, Odds: $41.00

This horse won back-to-back starts at Eagle Farm and Rosehill to begin her career and has found the placings in both runs this time in work. This horse stuck on well for third in the Sweet Embrace Stakes and might have finished closer after struggling to find a run in the concluding stages. This horse strips fitter third-up and looks a knockout chance.

16. She’s Extreme (6)
Group 1s: 0, Record: 3-1:1:0, Track: 1:1-0-0, Distance: 2:1-1-0, Trainer: Anthony Cummings, Jockey: Brett Prebble

This horse continues to improve with each start. This horse won the Group 3 Magic Night Stakes at Rosehill last Saturday by 1.5 lengths, and probably would have won by more if she didn’t jump awkwardly. That race has produced five Golden Slipper winners in the past, including Kiamichi in 2019. This horse hasn’t missed a place on heavy going and is a major chance.

Tips
Best bet: 14.Seven Veils $31
Best win bet: 2.Sejardan $7.00

After what started out a couple years ago as a bit of a Mickey Mouse affair, the 2022 All Star Mile is by far and away the best instalment of the race so far.

The race is befitting of the $5,000,000 prize tag it offers, which makes it the world’s richest mile race.

Here’s a look at all of the runners lining up in the field and my selections for the race. 

1.Im Thunderstruck
This horse was a brilliant winner at Toorak and Golden Eagle in the spring, just to show how good he is and what a bright future he has. His two runs back this campaign both over 1400 metres at Caulfield have been pleasing but Mick Price hasn’t had him ready to win. Those runs were simply to bring him ready for this, which is his autumn grand final. This horse has a devastating turn of foot and the inside gate suits as he won’t have to get so far out of his ground. He can settle midfield. He’ll be finishing like a train. Can he catch Zaaki?

2.Zaaki
This horse is an absolute super star. Forget the first-up run when a very game second. Not a lot went right and he wasn’t wound up. He needed to run. Jamie Kah rides and from the outside alley, that gives him time to work to the front if not the top two or three in the run as he won’t get traffic. He’ll co-lead at worst and let rip at the clock tower and put them to the sword. I am very keen he wins. Outside Verry Elleegant, he’s Australia’s best.

3.Cascadian
This horse won a weak Peter Young over 1800 metres second up before running fairly well in the Australia Cup last week. The drop back to 1600 metres suits and as he proved in the spring when huge in the Cantala, on this track and at this trip, he’s up with the best milers we have. This is a lot tougher but he’s great value.

4.Streets of Avalon
This horse tries his heart out but I can’t have him here.

5.Lunar Fox
How he won last year’s Australian Guineas at 300-1 and then ran fourth here I’ll never know. Massive no.

6.King Magnus
This horse is totally outclassed. No hope.

7.Callsign Mav
This horse is a Group 1-winning Kiwi horse now with Danny O’Brien at Flemington. This horse was okay first up and certainly has talent and a win would shock. But don’t expect a bad running whatsoever. 

8.Mr Brightside
This horse is an ultra consistent calibre of horse from the Lindsay Park team. However this is a bit too tough. But I expect him to run a pretty good race all the same.

9.Icebath
This horse had a terrific run when resuming first time but then was very disappointing second time around. This horse does have a second in a photo in a Cantala. This horse has ability and can handle dry and is not without a hope.

10.Tofane
This mare is an absolute beauty. But her best performances are saved for 1400 metres and this horse will be fully tested by the one-mile trip. This horse will run well but she will get found out late.

11.Sierra Sue
This horse is an honest mare who is a Group 1 winner. I have her as the best roughy in the race.

12.Inspirational Girl
This horse was terrific, beating Zaaki in the Blamey. However she needed to win that race to qualify for this and I have a feeling that O’Brien had 110 per cent wound up. This horse has very little improvement to come and while she will run well as she always does, Zaaki will turn the tables on her.

13.Captivant
Pass.

14.Lightsaber
This horse was terrific last week in the Australia Guineas, chasing a red hot tempo. This horse was a Group 2 winner as a three-year-old and is a genuine blow-out threat with Peter Moody training.

15.Pinstriped
This horse was terrific last week in the Australia Guineas with no luck. This horse is certainly open for big improvement but this is a bit too steep and he’s way under the odds.

Selections: 2.Zaaki 11.Sierra Sue 1.Im Thunderstruck

Suggested bet: Zaaki