Of the runners in this year's G1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill, fillies dominate the market headed by the unbeaten Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Houtzen (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}), G2 Silver Slipper winner She Will Reign (Aus) (Manhattan Rain {Aus}) and last start G1 Blue Diamond winner Catchy (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), while G2 Reisling S. winner Frolic (Aus) (Husson {Arg}) and G2 Magic Night S. winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Tulip (Aus) (Pierro {Aus}) also have claims in the $3.5-million contest.
Trainer Toby Edmonds arrived early this week with his unbeaten Queensland filly Houzten (Aus), and while the filly is yet to taste defeat, the question can be asked: what has she beaten? Second in the Magic Millions was Chauffeur (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) who is the first emergency for the Slipper, while the rest of the Magic Millions form is yet to stand strong.
The manner in which Houtzen has won her four starts is what impresses most, and while her jump-and-run racing style may be needed to come into play here with Jeff Lloyd having to contend with a wide gate, there is no doubting the ability of the filly who will look the winner at some stage in the home straight.
It is an outstanding achievement for Gary Portelli to be saddling two runners in this year's race, and all eyes will be on his talented filly She Will Reign. Purchased for just A$20,000 from the Inglis sale ring by Darby Racing, the syndication team are looking to go one better than the second that Yankee Rose (Aus) (All American ({Aus}) finished last year.
A winner of her first three starts emphatically before a narrow loss last time out to Frolic, many felt the 1200 metres would find She Will Reign wanting, and although beaten, Portelli is adamant that the filly has improved since the defeat; and remember, Mossfun (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}) did win the Inglis Nursery and the G2 Silver Slipper followed by a second in the Reisling, just like She Will Reign (Aus), before recording victory in the Slipper.
Blue Diamond winner Catchy, one of four runners for the David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig training partnership, has done nothing but win, taking her record to four from four. Defeating 'TDN Rising Star' Pariah (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}), Formality (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and Tulip in the Diamond, the filly will once again meet that trio in the Slipper.
Likely to get back in the running, which is her normal pattern, the Tommy Berry-ridden Frolic will need some luck to make up late ground to take the win. Having shown an impressive turn of foot in her last two victories, the Michael Freedman-trained filly has shown a liking for the wet conditions and will be one to watch late.
Of the colts, it's impossible to ignore the connections of last year's winner Capitalist (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}), who will saddle up Pariah at just his fourth start. A Group 3 winner on debut over fellow Slipper runner Menari (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) before second-placed performances at Group 3 and Group 1 level, a victory by the colt would see his value skyrocket.
Another colt who holds appeal is Gary Portelli's Single Bullet (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}), winner of the G3 Pago Pago S. last start. Bred by Corumbene Stud, the breeders of Slipper winners Sebring (Aus) (More Than Ready) and Overreach (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), Single Bullet races as if he is looking for further, which may see the colt powering home late in the heavy track conditions.
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