Golden Slipper on the cards for Warwick Farm maiden winner King Of Pop

Trainer Gerald Ryan has his sights on the Golden Slipper with Wednesday’s midweek maiden winner King Of Pop.

King Of Pop (blue) levels up to Savvy Hallie in the 2YO race at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. Picture: Bradley Photos

Trainer Gerald Ryan has his sights on the Golden Slipperwith Wednesday’s midweek maiden winner King Of Pop.

A son of 2020 Golden Slipper winner Farnan, King Of Pop firmed from $34 into $26 for the Golden Slipper after coming from midfield to score a narrow but impressive win in the Find Your Next G1w @ The Chase 2YO Plate (1100m) at Warwick Farm.

“I’ve always liked this little horse,” Ryan, who trains in partnership with Sterling Alexiou, said.

“I’ve always thought he’s our best chance for the Golden Slipper.

“What I liked about today is he settled back off a hot speed and hit the line good.”

A real “Thriller” at the finish! 📸

King Of Pop wins the Warwick Farm opener! 🌟@GRyanRacingpic.twitter.com/Xk8cpBuMfW

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 19, 2025

Ryan knows plenty about the family, having purchased and trained the dam Za Zi Ba, grand-dam Weiner and her half-brother, the legendary stallion Snitzel.

“We’ll step him up now,” he said.

“He’s got a great sprinting pedigree.

“If he can win a decent race, he’ll be worth plenty.

“The Skyline is in a week and a half, the Todman and Canberra is a week later and then you have the Pago Pago.

“He’ll tell me which race to target. I’d have no problems backing him up in the Slipper off the Pago Pago like we did with Hinchinbrook.”

King Of Pop was an $800,000 purchase at the 2024 Magic Millions Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast.

Like the winner, second placegetter Savvy Hallie was on debut and she too was impressive.

The Hellbent filly, trained by Brad Widdup, raced three wide outside the lead, gave a great kick straightening before being nabbed late, beaten a short half head with another 2¼ lengths back to the Chris Waller-trained Congressman in third.

“We couldn’t have asked for much more than that,” former jockey and part owner Ben Vassallo said.

“Brad will get her home see how she comes through today before deciding the next step.

“Naturally being in work at this time of the year a Slipper lead-up might be an option for her but we’ll let Brad decide.

“Regardless of what’s next, I think we’ve got ourselves a nice filly.”

Savvy Hallie is a $101 chance for the Golden Slipper.

Originally published as Golden Slipper on the cards for Warwick Farm maiden winner King Of Pop