Winning the Golden Slipper does not necessarily make you into a champion sire, but it does give you a second to none chance to become one with a guaranteed flying start at a commercial stud to help you on your way so let’s take a look at the nine colts engaged to run at Rosehill on Saturday.
1/ Little Brose (Per Incanto (USA)- Was bought to race in Hong Kong for David Hayes, but when he looked a natural runner was given his chance with Ben and JD Hayes to perform at two and won the Group I Blue Diamond. By outstanding NZ sire Per Incanto and only has one owner in Peter Young, so if he wins on Saturday studs will know exactly who to call.
2/ Barber (Exceed and Excel) – Godolphin homebred that combines the blood of two of their champion sires being from a daughter of Lonhro and comes from an old Woodlands Stud family.
3/ Arkansaw Kid (Harry Angel (IRE)) – Raced by a women’s syndicate and is from the first crop of European Champion Sprinter from an Exceed and Excel daughter of G1 winner Shindig.
4/ Don Corleone (Extreme Choice) – Raced by Newgate, China Horse Club and partners and is by fertility challenged elite sire, who already has a slipper winner in Stay Inside, who covered 187 mares at Newgate last spring at a fee of $77,000.
5/ Cylinder (Exceed and Excel) – Second Godolphin homebred in the race by the same sire as Barber and comes from female family of Lonhro.
6/ Red Resistance (Russian Revolution) – Bred by Go Bloodstock and retained to race in partnership with Newgate, who stand his sire Russian Revolution. From super fast Lonhro mare Heatherly and grand-dam by Golden Slipper winner Danzero.
7/ Shinzo (Snitzel) – Homebred for Coolmore and is a full brother to MM 2YO Classic winner Exhilarates from dual G1 winning sprinter Samaready. Chris Waller is on record saying he’s not really a natural precocious two year-old, so probably keep in mind his grand-dam is a half-sister to triple G1 winning stayer Country Tyrone- Sydney Cup, The Metrop and Queensland Derby. Best might be to come for him even if he does win this.
8/ King’s Gambit (I Am Invincible) – Homebred for Gooree and Newgate and is the first SW bred from this partnership, so if he wins the Golden Slipper will be an incredible result for them.
9/ Empire of Japan (Snitzel) – Another for Newgate/ China Horse Club and partners and won the Group III Breeders Plate on debut, but has not won in three starts since.