So you’re looking for a Golden Slipper guide well what about this one? Everyone has an opinion and remember to go with your gut feeling. Do the form, check the colours, might be numbers you like. If you like one back it. Don’t listen to anyone but yourself.
So here we go and the BMW and Vinery Stud Stakes tips follow.
GOLDEN SLIPPER
UNENCUMBERED: The two-year-old hard man. No juvenile in this has had more starts and you only have to remember what the colt did in the Magic Millions. It was a demolition. One time favourite now over the odds.
JABALI: Considered the unlucky runner in the home track Blue Diamond when second behind Earthquake which is favourite for this. First try this way of going at Rosehill a fortnight ago puzzling. Right odds.
GHIBELLINES: Stablemate of the race dominator Earthquake and at one stage was always considered a viable contender in this event. Sense of timing about him for the latest win was meritorious. One for the multiples.
VALENTIA: The trainer has declared this one over the odds. Gai Waterhouse has won five Golden Slippers. This colt goes in having won past two outings. Put paid to rivals quickly in the Skyline and drawn to have gun run again.
CORNROW: Melbourne visitor yet to taste victory in five starts which is always a worry. Not far away from Earthquake in the Blue Diamond and didn’t have a lot of luck getting a run in the Todman. Does have champ Damien Oliver on board.
LAW: Breeders Plate winner which obviously has problems. Three runs to date have been well spaced and was no match for race heavyweights Earthquake and Mossfun last time round. The Waterhouse factor a positive.
MODOC: Prepared by former Golden Slipper winning trainer and Royal Ascot trail blazer Paul Perry. Form to date suggests he’ll struggle here but drawn well and has form jockey on board.
RISEN FROM DOUBT: The enforcer Nash Rawiller goes on this colt for the first time. May well be a smart move for the youngster has proven wayward while he didn’t have the best of luck last time out in the Todman.
EARTHQUAKE: Unbeaten. Made it look rather easy each time. Prepared by one of the best in Darley’s head trainer Peter Snowden which means the elevated temperature last Sunday is of little concern. Easy to look past the obvious in this game. Whoever passes her wins.
MOSSFUN: The unbeaten run, which included a comprehensive victory in the Silver Slipper, was ended by Earthquake last time out. Certainly not battered there and “team Hawkes” has had only one race in mind. There is a sense of timing about her. The danger.
OAKLEIGH GIRL: The Queenslander hasn’t been sighted since chasing Unencumbered home in the Magic Millions back in January. Has won two recent barrier trials but nothing like match fitness.
ELOPING: May have blitzed rivals down south at most recent outing but that was at Bendigo. It is a worry. The Bendigo Gold Rush to the Golden Slipper at Rosehill will prove too big a task.
ALPHA MISS: May well be the fairytale yarn of this Golden Slipper. Team of owners from all back grounds have had one hell of a thrill. Safely held when third behind Earthquake and Mossfun last time round but no reason she can’t do the same again.
BRING THE MAID: The late arrival. Should be unbeaten having struck trouble at start No 2 at Moonee Valley. Made amends when charging home to win the Magic Night at Rosehill last Saturday. The knockout.
MEMORIAL: What happened last start behind the stablemate Earthquake when failing to beat a runner home? Surely there will be an old time demonstration if she takes this out.
BELIEVE YOURSELF: Trainer Gerald Ryan has had a super run with juveniles this season and this one has done nothing wrong winning two from two. That may be so but has drawn poorly and this is a different grade.
SCRATCH ME LUCKY: If this one makes the field you’d have to think you can go without him.
GOLDEN SLIPPER TIPS: EARTHQUAKE 1, Mossfun 2, Ghibellines 3, Bring The Maid 4.
THE BMW TIPS: FIORENTE 1, Silent Achiever 2, It’s A Dundeel 3, Voleuse De Coeurs 4.
VINERY STUD STAKES: ZANBAGH 1, Rising Romance 2, Interspersed 3, Solicit 4.
By Craig Young