Golden Slipper Day racing review 2018

The Slipper

For the eighth year in a row now, the richest two-year-old race in the world was won by a horse coming off a two week break between runs. Estijaab was brilliant and the only thing better than her was the ride by Avdulla. The star hoop used all of the filly’s great attributes to the best possible advantage- gate speed, high cruising speed and massive turn of foot. She dictated from the first fifty meters and the rest never recovered.

The over-head camera view shows exactly what i’m talking about and highlights how good the ride was. Plenty had their chance to get past her but she was simply too good.

There were huge runs by Oohood, Seabrook and Long Leaf who all rattled home, while the disappointing bunch were Performer, Prarie Fire, Santos and Ef Troop, who were all barely sighted and never looked like firing. 

ESTIJAAB!!

.@brentonavdulla puts the @HawkesRacing-trained filly in the pole position rounding the turn, sprinting best and holding off Oohood for a big win in the 2018 #GoldenSlipper. A thrilling finish at @rosehillgardens! pic.twitter.com/a5o8hFbmlW

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 24, 2018

Track Stars

I Am Excited is low flying with three wins from three now this prep. It was her first go on a soft track and she seemed to love it. She was strong all the way to line in the first at Rosehill and wherever she goes next, she’s going to be hard to beat again.

I Am Excited weaves her way through the field and kicks clear for the line, fending off a late challenge from Isaurian to make it three straight this prep for @PfiefferRacing in the Darby Monro Stakes. pic.twitter.com/1jMjfJyFh5

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 24, 2018

Gailo Chop was so dominant winning his third race from four starts this prep. He put them away with ease in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes and it’s going to take something very special to beat him. He does it at both ends and is a very talented horse.

Too good!

Gailo Chop makes his move rounding the bend, quickening the pace to take the lead and charge away to salute in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes at @rosehillgardens. @DKWeirRacing brings up a running double! pic.twitter.com/SksrX8vr9j

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 24, 2018

In Her Time could be the best sprinter in the land at the moment after winning the Group 1 Galaxy at Rosehill in style. She has come back bigger, better and faster this prep, and the way she cruised up to them and went bang was very impressive. I’m betting she will give Redzel a red hot go when they meet in the TJ Smith and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if she comes out on top in that battle.

In Her Time jumps out of the ground with a mighty kick and bolts in home ahead of English & Viridine to salute in impressive fashion in The Galaxy. pic.twitter.com/48o3Hngcxq

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 24, 2018

Kings Will Dream looks to be a very good horse. Darren Weir was a little worried about him making the jump from 1800m to 2400m without a run at 2000/2200m in between, but it didn’t matter one bit. He won the seventh race at Mornington by 5 lengths to take his record to five from five. He’s going places that’s for sure. 

Kings Will Dream has just won the @Mornington Cup in DEVASTATING fashion. � pic.twitter.com/EjPnm8u3xS

— Racing.com (@Racing) March 24, 2018

Ones to follow

Isaurian was very good in the first at Rosehill. He’s got plenty of upside and to get that close to I Am Excited means he will be winning a race very soon, so keep an eye out for him in the coming weeks.

Manicure was in the same race and her fast finishing fourth was a nice comeback off a longish break. She won second and third-up last prep so make sure you keep her safe next time she runs.

Peribsen is a lightly raced horse, only 13 starts so far but his third in race three at Rosehill was a good run. He’s won two and placed once now this prep from five starts, and next time out I can see him winning a similar race.

Hetty Heights was enormous in the last at Rosehill after she stormed home to grab an eye catching third and a win next time out definitely wouldn’t shock. She was all around the money last prep and off the back of that run, she might join the winners circle next time out.

Muswellbrook won really well in the third at Mornington. He ran good time first-up and backed it up with a nice effort on Saturday. There is only upside with him. 

The unlucky runner

Furore gets the award this week after getting chopped out at such a crucial time in the Rosehill Guineas, and if he had got a clear run to the line, I think he goes very close to winning. It was only his fifth race start, so make sure you are on his back next time out.