King Of Pop launches into Golden Slipper frame with victory in the Black Opal Stakes

The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained King Of Pop has entered Golden Slipper calculations with victory in the Black Opal Stakes at Canberra.

King Of Pop has emerged as Golden Slipper contender after taking out the Black Opal Picture: Bradley Photos

Unbeaten colt King Of Pop has thrust himself into Golden Slipper contention with a track record breaking victory in the Group 3 Black Opal Stakes (1200m) at Canberra on Sunday.

Trained by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, King Of Pop defeated Farcited in a memorable edition of the $200,000 feature, while Sanctified, a stablemate to the winner, finished an eye-catching third.

The first two across the line are sired by 2020 Golden Slipper hero Farnan whose stud stocks continue to rise at a rapid pace.

King Of Pop launched his career with victory at Warwick Farm in February before cementing himself as a major Slipper player with Sunday’s Black Opal success.

READ: Rising stars carry local hopes in Adelaide Cup

The win delivered co-trained Gerald Ryan a fourth Black Opal triumph, his first with Paint in 1996 while his most recent was with Trapeze Artist in 2017.

“The horse has been ticking over really good and taking his time, it’ll be great if he can get into the Golden Slipper,” Gerald Ryan said post race.

“I’m not sure if he’s got enough (prize) money to do that but I’ve always had him down as a Slipper horse so hopefully we can get there.

“And the other horse (Sanctified) has run super as well. He was never coming here until last Saturday, he worked that well I said to Sterling let’s throw him in and have a crack at it. I’m glad we did.”

King Of Pop WINS the Black Opal Stakes! 🏆@ZacLloydx with a masterful display in the saddle! pic.twitter.com/jblG77mZ7x

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 9, 2025

King Of Pop firmed from $34 into $21 in Golden Slipper betting after annexing the Black Opal.

Following the race, Zac Lloyd, who guided King Of Pop to victory, was upbeat the future of the $800,000 purchase.

“He was great, really impressive,” Lloyd said.

“The leader (Farcited) won the preview here really well and we knew he could sustain a strong gallop. My bloke was very sharp, executed the race as we’d hoped and got to the leader really well.

READ: Mitch Cohen’s Blackbook: Five to follow from Royal Randwick Saturday

“He’s still learning his craft but he’s a really nice horse moving forward.

“The Black Opal is a time-honoured race and it’s great to win it at my first ride in the race.”

On a big day of racing in the nation’s capital, Snow In May won the Listed Canberra Guineas (1400m) for John O’Shea and Tom Charlton with Tyler Schiller in the saddle.

The win provided a second Guineas in just 24 hours for O’Shea and Charlton following Linebacker’s Group 1 Randwick Guineas triumph a day earlier.

In the Canberra Cup (2000m), it was Palmetto that got the job done for John Sargent, the six-year-old gelding winning his first race since October 2023.

The National Sprint (1400m) produced a mini-boilover with Zouatica resuming to score from the extreme outside barrier at $17 for Barbara Joseph and Paul Jones.

Originally published as King Of Pop launches into Golden Slipper frame with victory in the Black Opal Stakes