The 2014 Golden Slipper Stakes meeting will be held at Rosehill this Saturday. Rosehill Gardens was rated a Slow 6 on Thursday and with possible showers in the next 2 days, the track is likely to border on Dead/Slow range on raceday.
Providing the track is no worse than Slow 6, I believe Junoob can continue his winning way in the Neville Sellwood Stakes (Sydney Race 2, 2000m). Junoob has hit a purple patch of form this preparation winning 3 of his last 4 starts. The 6YO has a good record at Rosehill and has won & placed 7 times from 9 starts over 2000m. He won the Randwick City Stakes last start over this distance by 5 lengths and Junoob is the horse to beat again in the Neville Sellwood.
The potential Slow condition will certainly disadvantage race favourite That’s A Good Idea in the Sebring Stakes (Sydney Race 3, 1200m). But top weight Temple Of Boom will have no such problem as he has won 3 & placed further 4 times from 9 starts on Slow track. Temple Of Boom has been racing in Group 1 company against the calibre of horses like Tiger Tees, Villa Verde & Snitzerland. Although up in weight on Saturday but down significantly in class. Currently at $10.00 in the fixed odds market, Temple Of Boom is at great value.
Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente is finally stepping up to a suitable distance in the BMW Stakes (Sydney Race 6. 2400m). Fiorente seemed a bit dour when he carved out a grinding win in the Australian Cup (2000m) hence I believe the Ranvet Stakes (also over 2000m) last start was a bit short for him. Stepping up to 2400m in the BMW will allow Fiorente’s undoubted stamina to shine through. Though both Silent Achiever & It’s A Dundeel can stay the 2400m, I have my doubt if they can beat Fiorente at WFA over this distance. Fiorente looks the winner in the BMW.
The main feature of the day is the Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes (Sydney Race 8, 1200m). On exposed form, the fillies are better than the colts among the 2YOs this season. And the highest rated 2YO this season has been the Peter Snowden-trained filly Earthquake. This Darley-owned filly is unbeaten winning 4 from 4 including the Blue Diamond Stakes. Last start in the Reisling Stakes, Earthquake shown her versatility in taking up an unfamiliar role leading from start to finish. But there’s no doubt Earthquake would be much better suited when she could settle off the pace and unleash her devastating sprint late in the race. From barrier 13 (into 12 with emergency out), Kerrin McEvoy can settle the filly midfield until straightening. Earthquake can out-sprint every horse in this field and she looks set to emulate former stablemate, Sepoy, in completing the Blue Diamond-Golden Slipper double.
By Owens Wong, Editor
