Golden Slipper 2021 betting: Unbeaten duo Acrobat and Enthaar dominate early markets

Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace are preparing to unleash their horde of talented juveniles on the Golden Slipper.

James McDonald on Acrobat wins the Inglis Nursery. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty

Acrobat ran the fastest-ever 1000m at Randwick by a two-year-old with his dominant win in the Inglis Nursery.

Enthaar was the most impressive Gimcrack Stakes winner in years, thrashing her rivals with a contemptuous ease.

But which of these boom youngsters is the best two-year-old produced so far this season?

In early Golden Slipper betting, TAB Fixed Odds price assessors rate Enthaar the top pick, favourite at $6 with Acrobat next at $13.

Enthaar might have looked the more brilliant of the two in her runaway win during the spring but Acrobat’s debut on Saturday was a powerful, classy performance from a colt with obvious ability.

James McDonald on Enthaar. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty

Fortunately for trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, they have both boom youngsters in their stable so they can let the race results determine their best youngster this season.

Even James McDonald, who has ridden Enthaar and Acrobat in their only starts, diplomatically refused to be drawn on comparisons between the two youngsters.

Acrobat’s effort to run a stunning 56.02 seconds for the Randwick 1000m was outstanding (Rubick ran 56.39 winning his two-year-old debut six years ago) and he should have no problem stretching his brilliance out to 1200m. If anything, he looks the ideal type to be very effective at 1400m and possibly further later on.

Enthaar is a naturally gifted filly with stunning speed but her Gimcrack Stakes win was so effortless, going to 1200m should not be an issue.

Trainer Ciaron Maher. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty

But after Acrobat’s win, Maher revealed Enthaar was already in Melbourne being prepared for the Blue Diamond and this might give the colt an edge going into the Golden Slipper.

It is not easy to peak for a Blue Diamond and then do it again in the Golden Slipper. Only five youngsters have completed the double — Sepoy (2011), Courtza (1989), Bounding Away (’86), Manikato (’78) and John’s Hope (’72)

DREAM RUN

The Maher-Eustace stable had an outstanding 2019-20 with their two-year-olds but they could trump those results this season.

Including Enthaar and Acrobat, the co-trainers have already produced six individual juvenile winners of seven races in 2020-21, while Sneaky Five, winner of the Golden Gift, is on the third line of Golden Slipper betting.

Last season, they trained the winners of 36 juvenile races — including Magic Millions winner and Golden Slipper runner-up Away Game.

MARK’S GLAMOUR

There was no fluke about Greysful Glamour’s win in the Group 2 Villiers Stakes on Saturday, the grey set a fast tempo and was responsible for the race record 1min 33.47sec in leading throughout.

Trainer Mark Newnham deserves kudos for his effort to bring the mare back from her 2000m win in the Listed ATC Cup and have her sharp enough to win over the mile.

Newnham said he was likely to keep Greysful Glamour in training for the Group 3 Summer Cup (2000m) at Royal Randwick on Boxing Day.

Rachel King and Greysful Glamour return to scale after winning the Agency Villiers Stakes. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty

CLOSE COMEBACK

Criaderas produced an incredible effort to come from last and finish within a half length of the winner when third in the Villiers.

The Godolphin four-year-old is loaded with talent but his lack of early tactical speed means he is invariably giving away big starts, as was the case last Saturday.

However, few horses have the finishing power of Criaderas who ran his final 600m in 32.69s – a finishing sectional bettered at the Randwick by only Acrobat’s 32.54s and Remlaps Gem’s 32.67s, both in 1000m sprints.

Criaderas has Group 1 potential and with only eight career starts, he has the potential to improve his racing pattern as he gains more experience.

Criaderas returns to scale the Drinkwise Handicap. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty

TOP TRACK

Royal Randwick provided a fast and fair racing surface for the Villiers meeting – as did Canterbury on Friday night.

Canterbury has been criticised for being a dynamite leaders track for some months now but credit should be also be given to the curators for the excellent surface they provided for the night meeting where there was no evidence of any track bias.

There were some very impressive winners at the night meeting including Smart Image, Whiskey Jack and On The White Turf, who all came from back in the field but the brilliant display of sustained speed from the emerging Bjorn Baker-trained sprinter Malkovich was the standout performance.

Racing NSW has approved their application of Lee Curtis and his wife, Cherie, to form a training partnership from Monday.

GET WELL SOON

Colleague Clinton Payne has had his health challenges this year and unfortunately needed to go back in hospital over the weekend. He should be well enough to go home later this week and I’d like to wish him a speedy recovery.