Gold rush: How the Golden Slipper contenders line up

Chris Waller has dubbed the Golden Slipper the “grand final in terms of two-year-old racing”, and the importance of the famous sprint at Rosehill goes way beyond the $5 million prizemoney.

The “multiplier” effect of winning a Slipper can add many millions to a colt’s value at stud, hence its reputation as one of the most influential races on the calendar. “It just puts so much value into bloodstock to start with,” Waller said of the race. “If you’ve got a horse who can win, run second or third, their value just goes through the roof.”

Who will strike gold this year? We run the rule over the field.

1. Rivellino (3)

Trainer: Kris Lees
Jockey: Hugh Bowman
Odds: $9.50
You can only beat who’s in front of you, and Rivellino has done that better than the rest to win all three of his starts. He’s sprinted well late to edge out Skyhook and Within The Law, which were both unlucky, but he’s yet to face others high in the market. Drawn well in three to prove he can.

2. Devil Night (11)

Trainer: John, Wayne and Michael Hawkes
Jockey: Michael Dee
Odds: $13
Won the Blue Diamond at his second start and is a month between runs. The Blue Diamond form was franked by Tempted and Tentyris two weeks ago at Randwick, giving Devil Night strong claims here. Has early speed, like those near him, to find a nice spot on speed.

The Chris Waller-trained Wodeton has been well backed despite falling short in the Todman Stakes earlier this month.Credit: Getty Images

3. North England (9)

Trainer: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Jockey: Tim Clark
Odds: $19
Golden Gift winner in November, he missed a key lead-up run in the Silver Slipper (poor bloodwork). Resumed in the Todman, where he led a three-way battle early before finishing fifth. A likely leader, he can give a better sight with that run under his belt.

4. Tycoon Star (5)

Trainer: Ben, Will and JD Hayes
Jockey: Mark Zahra
Odds: $19
The most experienced runner in the field, with five starts for one win. Made up huge ground to finish 1.35 lengths away third in the Blue Diamond but then had his chance third-up in the Todman when dying on his run late to come fourth.

5. West Of Swindon (4)

Trainer: John, Wayne and Michael Hawkes
Jockey: Tyler Schiller
Odds: $34
Missed the Pago Pago last week with a minor foot issue and is seen as more of a 1400m Sires’ prospect, but he has been second in top company at his two starts, both at 1100m, including an eye-catcher in the Golden Gift.

6. Beiwacht (16)

Trainer: James Cummings
Jockey: Adam Hyeronimus
Odds: $71
Could start the rank outsider, which was unthinkable after he won the Silver Slipper by two lengths at Rosehill. Then raced three wide up front in the Todman and understandably folded. Draw doesn’t help, but he’s far from hopeless.

Godolphin’s Tempted, trained by James Cummings, is set to start favourite.Credit: Getty Images

7. Skyhook (8)

Trainer: Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
Odds: $7.50
Led and dominated the Pago Pago last week to book his spot and surge into contention, after a luckless second in the Skyline. Maps to get a nice run behind the speed and can challenge if he handles the back-up.

8. Wodeton (2)

Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: James McDonald
Odds: $5.50
Spruik horse which won with ease on debut on a Soft 7 track. Has been good in two placings since in the Silver Slipper and Todman on dry going. Drawn to get economical, midfield run and could appreciate cut in the ground if rain comes.

9. King Of Pop (18)

Trainer: Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou
Jockey: Zac Lloyd
Odds: $35
Impressive Black Opal Stakes winner following a midweek city victory on debut, but he will likely get back and need a hot speed up front to have a chance after drawing the carpark.

10. Quietly Arrogant (7)

Trainer: Peter Snowden
Jockey: Tommy Berry
Odds: $27
Was strong late in the Skyline to finish a close third and earn a Slipper shot. Is another that could welcome rain, given his only win was on a Soft 7 in the Gold Nugget at the Sunshine Coast.

Can Gai Waterhouse, the queen of the Sydney Autumn, bag another Slipper?Credit: Getty Images

11. Farcited (17)

Trainer: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Jockey: Josh Parr
Odds: $51
Won the Black Opal Preview then was a game second to King Of Pop in the main event. Last into the Slipper field and was being set for the 1400m Sires. Wide gate makes it harder again.

12. Within The Law (13)

Trainer: Bjorn Baker
Jockey: Jason Collett
Odds: $12
Amazing campaign in the Inglis series with two wins and a late charge for second. Did that again to nail Bellazaine on the line in the Sweet Embrace and make the Slipper. Has the finishing burst to win if she gets the right run.

13. Tempted (1)

Trainer: James Cummings
Jockey: Blake Shinn
Odds: $5
Luckless when seventh in the Blue Diamond, the filly edged into Slipper favouritism after winning the Reisling Stakes well with a sustained finish, then drawing one. Should be ready to pounce if she finds clear running.

14. Bellazaine (15)

Trainer: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Jockey: Regan Bayliss
Odds: $26
The tough, on-speed filly won the Lonhro Plate and almost held on in the Sweet Embrace. Will push forward from the wide barrier and could prove tough to get past if she finds a good position.

15. Military Tycoon (12)

Trainer: Ciaron Maher
Jockey: Thomas Stockdale
Odds: $27
Easily won the Ottawa Stakes down the straight at Flemington to gain a start. Her only other run was also a straight 1000m there, making her form tough to line up at the Rosehill 1200m. Hard to discount a Maher horse, though.

16. Marhoona (6)

Trainer: Michael Freedman
Jockey: Damian Lane
Odds: $9
A winner on debut at Canterbury, the filly then fought on well for second when headed by Tempted in the Reisling Stakes. Drawn well and has early speed to put herself in a handy spot.

17. Alabama Magic (14) [1st emergency]

Trainer: Brett Cavanough
Jockey: Braith Nock (a)
Odds: $201
Gaining a start would be a dream come true for the filly’s Scone trainer and his promising apprentice. Ran well when third last week in the Magic Night.

18. Nepotism (10) [2nd emergency]

Trainer: John, Wayne and Michael Hawkes
Jockey: TBA
Odds: $51
Made an eye-catching run on debut in the Todman when finishing just over a length away in third, after being held up in the straight.