Golden Slipper Race Day Tips: Has King’s Gambit Got The Right Moves?
(Reg Ryan/Racing Photos/Getty Images)
— 16 March 2023

Golden Slipper Race Day Tips: Has King’s Gambit Got The Right Moves?

— 16 March 2023

Ladies and gents, we’ve arrived at the Golden Slipper, one of the biggest race days on the calendar, presenting the veritable who’s who of thoroughbred talent.

The $5 million Group 1 Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) is the richest race for two-year-old horses in the world, and the feature race at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday, alongside four additional Group 1 races: the George Ryder Stakes (1500m),  the Ranvet Stakes (2000m), The Galaxy (1100m) and the Rosehill Guineas (2000m).

With five group one races and a combined $9.6m purse, there’s no wonder Golden Slipper day assembles some of the best runners in the world, with the likes of Anamoe, Artorius, Eduardo, Gold Trip and Mo’unga all competing. As a two-year-old race, the Golden Slipper draw lacks the elite-level talent of the George Ryder Stakes but a Slipper win will catapult notoriety while filling owner’s pockets.

Looking at history, runners in barrier 1 have secured the most wins (nine) – this year that is Chris Waller-trained #7 Shinzo ($15). The Slipper’s most successful trainer Gai Waterhouse will look to make it 8 wins with either #6 Red Resistance ($10) or #11 Platinum Jubilee ($18). She’ll face stiff competition from favourite #5 Cylinder ($4), unbeaten #10 Learning To Fly ($6.50), promising #8 King’s Gambit ($9), and the Blue Diamonds Stakes winner #1 Little Brose ($11) who have drawn barriers 3, 4, 7, and 5, respectively. #15 Steel City got the win last weekend at Rosehill over the same distance and looks like value at $16.

Check out the 2023 Longines Golden Slipper barrier draw below.

HorseTrainerJockeyBarrierWeight
1. LITTLE BROSEBen & JD HayesMichael Dee556.5kg
2. BARBERJames CummingsNash Rawiller856.5kg
3. ARKANSAW KIDBen & JD HayesJye McNeil1356.5kg
4. DON CORLEONEPeter & Paul SnowdenHugh Bowman656.5kg
5. CYLINDERJames CummingsJames McDonald356.5kg
6. RED RESISTANCEGai Waterhouse & Adrian BottBrett Prebble1756.5kg
7. SHINZOChris WallerRyan Moore156.5kg
8. KING’S GAMBITPeter & Paul SnowdenMark Zahra756.5kg
9. EMPIRE OF JAPANPeter & Paul SnowdenSam Clipperton256.5kg
10. LEARNING TO FLYAnnabel NeashamChad Schofield454.5kg
11. PLATINUM JUBILEEGai Waterhouse & Adrian BottTim Clark1154.5kg
12. BLANC DE BLANCMichael FreedmanDamian Lane1254.5kg
13. EXPLORINGJames CummingsBrenton Avdulla954.5kg
14. LAZZAGOChris WallerKerrin McEvoy1054.5kg
15. STEEL CITYCiaron Maher & David EustaceRegan Bayliss1554.5kg
16. FACILEGerald Ryan & Sterling AlexiouRyan Maloney1454.5kg
17. MILITARIZE (NZ)Chris WallerUnknown 1656.5kg

The racing action extends to Victoria on Saturday where the Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m) will run at Moonee Valley featuring one of the most hotly contested duals in recent memory – #1 I’m Thunderstruck ($6) v # 2 Alligator Blood ($2.80). The two stars will hardly miss a field without Zaaki but must contend with #4 Mr Brightside ($6.50) and #9 The Inevitable who is looking to make it 7 wins in a row, and despite a $26 price, must be considered on form alone.

Here are my Golden Slipper Race day tips. Happy punting.

Best Bet – Rosehill R6 #3 Dubai Honour ($4.40)

Stable has won this race with Addeybb and Dubai Honour is a similar type, but more consistent and better suited on firmer ground than Addeybb. Likely to have everything to suit here and Ryan Moore is just an added bonus given his familiarity with his formlines, if not the horse himself. Far from an easy race but hard not to think William Haggas can win this race again.

Best Each Way – Rosehill R8 #8 King’s Gambit ($9)

Hard to be confident in an open Golden Slipper but still believe King’s Gambit is the most naturally talented two-year-old I’ve seen this season. He’s beaten himself the last couple but his sectionals have been good and I think he’s been crying out for a bit of pressure in his races. Add in that his recent trial was top notch and he looks a worthy each way bet.

Best Longshot – Rosehill R4 #9 Northern Barrage ($101)

Trainer Mick Kent has had a lot of success bringing unheralded horses north on this day before. Usually it’s a race like the Epona Stakes but he’s throwing his three-year-old Northern Barrage in the deep end in the Rosehill Guineas. Most years, you’d say the challenge is too tough but it doesn’t look a vintage group here and, if a couple perform below their best, Kent could spoil the party with Northern Barrage.

Head to BossBet to get in on the action and use code ‘BOSSBOOK’ when you sign up and make your first deposit.

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