The Golden Slipper meeting will be held this Saturday at Rosehill Gardens (23rd Mar). The course proper was rated a Soft 6 on Thursday and with overcast weather over the next couple of days, Rosehill is likely to stay in the Soft range on raceday.
Good colt Tom Kitten is ready to show his true form when he steps up to 2000m in the Rosehill Guineas (Sydney Race 6, 2000m). The Godolphin-owned 3YO had won the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes over 2000m and while he did finish off well in the Eskimo Prince and the Hobartville Stakes earlier this campaign, he really showed his true colour last start in the Randwick Guineas when beaten less than a length by Celestial Legend and Militarize. Stepping up to ten furlong on Saturday will suit better again. Champion hoop Hugh Bowman will settle mid-field from gate 2 with a cosy run and Tom Kitten will be finishing the race off strongly.
Militarize has been scratched from the Rosehill Guineas and he will be better suited for the shorter trip (1500m) in the George Ryder Stakes (Sydney Race 7, 1500m). The Waller-trained 3YO Militarize has been a proven Group 1 performer and he ran a brave 2nd to stablemate Fangirl first-up in the Apollo Stakes at weight-for-age before beaten a nose by the emerging Celestial Legend in the Randwick Guineas. The Dundeel colt has never missed a place on Soft track with two wins and two placings from four starts. James McDonald will bide his time behind mid-field and Militarize will produce a withering sprint down the Rosehill straight.
Switzerland maps very well and he will have a last crack at them off a fast run Golden Slipper (Sydney Race 8, 1200m). The Snitzel colt is unbeaten winning three from three and Waller has timed his build up to the Slipper to perfection. Switzerland handles any track condition and he can settle anywhere in a race and that versatility will put him in good stead. James McDonald will sit just behind the leading bunch from a perfect barrier (7) and Switzerland will be raring to go rounding the home turn.
By Owens Wong
