Progressive Godolphin colt Beiwacht makes Golden Slipper statement with stylish win in Silver Slipper at Rosehill

The James Cummings-trained Beiwacht will be a serious contender in the Golden Slipper after his tough win in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Slipper at Rosehill.

Beiwacht was impressive winning the Group 2 Silver Slipper at Rosehill. Picture: Getty Images

Godolphin’s Beiwacht vaulted into the Golden Slipper conversation, West Of Swindon is a big improver, and Wodeton was brave in defeat.

This summed up the Group 2 $300,000 Silver Slipper (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday where the result may not have gone to script but the three placegetters showed they are among the best two-year-old colts of their generation.

In fact, Wodeton remained a firm $3 favourite for the $5m Golden Slipper (1200m) at the same track in a month’s time, West Of Swindon firmed from $17 to third line of betting at $15, where he was joined by Beiwacht, whose odds were slashed from $34.

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Beiwacht, trained by James Cummings, might have had a race fitness edge but the colt was simply too fast and too good for his high profile Silver Slipper rivals.

“I appreciate that he’s had everything, absolutely everything, go his way today, but look, he’s a Silver Slipper winner and a legitimate class act going into a Golden Slipper four weeks out,” Cummings said.

“He’s got speed to burn and we just needed to calm him down, get him to do it right.

“But this is a class animal and a month out from the Golden Slipper, that’s a huge result.”

Beiwacht ($17), which is German for “bivouac”, raced on speed and forged clear to win comfortably by 2¼ lengths from West Of Swindon ($9.50) with a short neck to Wodeton ($2.20 favourite) who endured a wide run but still closed the race off strongly.

“He was strong late,” Cummings enthused.

“Full credit to the colt and it was a smooth ride from Adam (Hyeronimus).

“It’s an important win and a huge result for the farm. Bivouac has started well at stud, he’s had a Flemington winner, a good winner in New Zealand and now a Silver Slipper which is a pretty high benchmark.”

Hyeronimus’s win emulated his uncle, Neil Paine, who rode Kisses For Kathy to win the Silver Slipper in 1984.

“I love to be able to win races that my father’s won or my uncle Neil or Rodney, because they’ve been supportive to me, it’s very nice,” Hyeronimus said.

There's a new TAB Golden Slipper player on the block! 🙌

Beiwacht wins the G2 TAB Silver Slipper Stakes in fine style! @JamesCummings88 | @godolphin | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/h37fgftk9S

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 22, 2025

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“Beiwacht jumped well, he was nice and relaxed in the first 100m, and I was able to take up a position outside the lead on a good speed.

“He started to get quite strong before the turn because I was going so well and I didn’t really want to go but at the same time, I didn’t want to break his stride. So I just tried to hold onto him as much as I could and he showed a very sharp turn of foot

“There’s a lot of improvement to come. He’s still a very raw colt, and a couple little things he’s doing is just pure ability. They’re not bad things that he’s doing, but once he realises he’s a racehorse, there’ll be a lot of a different story.”

Cummings said he is unsure if Beiwacht will race again before the Golden Slipper on March 22.

“We don’t need to run again, we will be guided by how he pulls up,” Cummings said.

“We’ll think about going to the Todman Stakes (March 8). I think it’s a matter of just deciding what’s right for the horse, what’s best for him.”

Beiwacht has the chance to become the eighth horse to complete the Silver Slipper-Golden Slipper double after Farnan (2020) She Will Reign (2017) Mossfun (2014) Pierro (2012) Luskin Star (1977), Baguette (1970) and Eskimo Prince (1964).

But the connections of West Of Swindon and Wodeton were far from downcast in defeat.

Michael Hawkes, co-trainer of West Of Swindon, said his colt had run well and was looking forward to the autumn carnival with optimism.

“This is a class animal.”

Things didn’t start as planned for Beiwacht but he’s back on track with this big win in the G2 TAB Silver Slipper Stakes today! Hear from @JamesCummings88 and Adam Hyeronimus 👇@godolphin | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/WbKdnuKNuC

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 22, 2025

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“It was a lovely run, he hit the line ‘good’ and ran through the line,” Hawkes said.

“We are already qualified for the Golden Slipper if we go that path. The horse has returned in great order and he had a good blow after the race.

“It’s four weeks to the Slipper, today was 1100m but he will flourish over 1200m and even 1400m. He’s on the improve.”

Chris Waller, trainer of the Coolmore-owned Wodeton, said it is very difficult to sit three-wide without cover and win over the Rosehill 1100m.

“I think Kerrin (McEvoy, jockey) was in no-man’s land on Wodeton,” Waller said.

“If he had gone back he would have been last with no chance. If he had gone forward he was riding against instructions.

“The horse has still run well. His last 200m was as good as anything in the race.

“He will strip fitter and it is full steam ahead to the Todman then his Grand Final is after that.”

Coolmore’s Tom Magnier said Wodeton’s outside barrier (nine) was always the concern.

“We were worried about the barrier all week and we even thought about scratching at one stage,” Magnier revealed.

“But we decided to run Wodeton and he’s still run well, hitting the line strongly. We were going to the Todman Stakes next win, lose or draw, so we will stick with that plan.”

Originally published as Progressive Godolphin colt Beiwacht makes Golden Slipper statement with stylish win in Silver Slipper at Rosehill