21/03/20 Rosehill Tips: Golden Slipper Preview

This year's Golden Slipper features an even group of two-year-olds, with no single runner stamping their dominance over the field.

The open nature of the race will provide punters with a great opportunity to receive a healthy return on their investment for correctly selecting the victor.

My selection comes from the shrewd Snowden camp, who have declared that the last start Group 2 winner was only 85% fit heading into the race.

This stable are the masters of timing a preparation and she should be peaking perfectly on grand final day here. 

 Rosehill Track Traits

The Rosehill surface is currently rated a Soft 7, with the rail out 3m the entire circuit.

Fine conditions are predicted in Sydney for the remainder of the week and on Saturday.

With a drying track, the surface should race evenly. However, if there was more rain I would expect wider lanes to be favoured. 

As always, a close watch is advised early to determine any fast lanes or bias. 

 Racing Market Movers

Race favourite Tagaloa remains rock solid in early betting at the $5 mark.

There has been a longer priced move seen for Hungry Heart, who is $26 into $15. 

 Key Runners

#1 Tagaloa $5

Was simply outstanding when winning the Blue Diamond Stakes as an outsider. With no favours in the run after being posted wide, the star colt surprised many by giving a great kick to get home. 

He has since had the one Sydney run at Randwick, where he again impressed after finishing second behind the smart Farnan.

With the stable declaring the last run as nothing more than a "sighter" for Sydney's unique racing style, he could explode here. Top hope.  

#2 Hanseatic $6.50

Started a warm $2.60 favourite in the Blue Diamond and looked the winner in the straight, after peeling off the leaders' backs.

He just missed by 0.2 lengths behind Tagaloa on that occasion, who has since franked that form.

He had genuine excuses at Caulfield on Blue Diamond day, when he was held up in the straight on a very leader biased track.

Some are pointing towards the recent Randwick trial win as a form reference, however I doubt they were out to break any records. Include.  

#3 Farnan $5.00

Won well in the Todman stakes last start at Randwick, after gaining a soft lead from an inside barrier. He was able to conserve energy in the run, allowing him to showcase a blistering turn of foot in the straight.

This race maps much differently from gate 14 and I suspect that he'll need to use excess fuel to burn to the front.

There is no doubting the high class of this colt, however with a tricky speed map and at the price I would much prefer to be with others. 

#4 Prague $15

Raced outside the leader last start at Rosehill in the Pago Pago, before hitting the line strongly to win well.

After assessing track patterns on race day, it appeared as though he received favours by being on the right part of the track. Furthermore, the quality of his opposition was questionable on the day.

Back against the top line two-year-old's here, I expect that he may find a few of these too strong. Avoid.  

#7 Mamaragan $14

Shocked a few when winning at big odds ($19) on debut at Randwick, in what has been his only race start.

Expect Nash Rawiller to make good use of gate 1 and put the horse right on top of the speed. 

There are still plenty of unknowns, however the price is big enough to find out. Can win again. 

#8 Away Game $16

Was ultra impressive in the Magic Millions two-year-old Classic, where she cruised into it before racing away to give nothing else a chance.  

She has since won the Widden Stakes at Randwick and will therefore be familiar with the Sydney way of going.

Expect her to sit just in behind the leading division and from there, she can extricate and pounce on them late. Yes.  

#9 Dame Giselle $10

The filly looks very well primed for this, with the stable openly declaring last start that they had left plenty in the tank for Grand Final day.

She was excellent winning at Randwick last start in the Reisling, when she sat wide throughout yet still proved too strong at the end.

Gate 4 is perfect and rider Tim Clark should settle midfield with cover, before peeling to the best part of the track to charge home. Goes on top. 

#10 See You Soon $16

Charged up along the rails at Randwick in the Reisling to finish a close second behind the smart Dame Giselle.

She flies under the radar here compared to a number of the hyped up rivals, and she could attract strong support from the betting syndicates close to jump.

Her form is strong and the mid draw in gate 8 could be a blessing if the inside section of the track is off. Leading chance. 

#12 Personal $18

Was excellent in the Blue Diamond, when she defied the severe on-pace bias to charge home from back in the field grabbing third.

It will be a difficult run from gate 19, however at this stage of the day it may be an advantage to be tracking wider.

She can slot into the moving line three-wide with cover, before rattling home down the outside. Big odds. 

#14 Hungry Heart $26 > $15

Won the Sweet Embrace at Randwick last start, in what appears to be the inferior form-line.

She was soft in the market last time out and she would need vast improvement to be winning this. No. 

Of The Others

#18 Minhaaj currently sits as first emergency however with the scratching of Global Quest and Cellsabeel, I expect her to line-up at the barriers.

She was excellent at Flemington last start at Group 3 level, where she won comfortably. Certainly has the ability.