LIVE: Golden Slipper Day; betting updates, tips, late mail and breaking news from Rosehill Gardens
UPDATE: PETER and Paul Snowden never lost faith in their colt, Blake Shinn’s confidence was unshakeable — and Capitalist duly delivered.
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PETER and Paul Snowden never lost faith in their colt, Blake Shinn’s confidence was unshakeable — and Capitalist duly delivered.
The 60th running of the $3.5 million Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday will be remembered as one for the true believers.
Capitalist had been the long-time Golden Slipper favourite before a shock loss in the Todman Stakes two weeks ago.
When the dream becomes reality! #GoldenSlipper #Capitalist pic.twitter.com/FW8lajxlmy
— Blake Shinn (@blake_shinn) March 19, 2016
But just as Peter Snowden did with Sepoy in 2011, he was able to bring Capitalist back from that loss to peak on the day it mattered most.
“We always felt if Capitalist could run to his best, he would be hard to beat,’’ Snowden said.
“I might have made a mistake before the Todman, maybe I should have trialled him twice because he really needed that run.
“He also had some muscle soreness across the back but that was only a minor issue.
“After he galloped well at home (Randwick) last Saturday morning, I knew we had him back and ready for the Golden Slipper.’’
Paul Snowden said: “We thought we had a point to prove and thank god Capitalist backed us up because there is nothing better than letting the horse do the talking.”
Shinn said once Capitalist drew barrier two — the same starting position the colt had when it won the Magic Millions back in January — he felt he was on the horse to beat.
“It seemed everyone wrote Capitalist off but I’ve got to take my hat off to Peter and Paul,’’ Shinn said.
“I know we never wrote this horse off after his last-start defeat, you just have to have the faith and go in confident to every race. He was turned out in superb order and everything worked out well in the race.’’
Before 19,781 fans, Capitalist ($8) sprinted between runners at the top of the straight and went to score by a half length from the fast-finishing Yankee Rose ($21) with Flying Artie ($4) nearly two lengths away third.
In a race of many highlights:
CAPITALIST became the third horse to complete the Magic Millions-Golden Slipper double after Dance Hero (2004) and Phelan Ready (2009).
CAPITALIST took his earnings to $3.47 million — a national prizemoney record for a juvenile.
TRAINERS Peter and Paul Snowden became the second father-and-son partnership to win the Golden Slipper after John Hawkes and his sons, Wayne and Michael, prepared Mossfun to win in 2014.
THE COLT is now estimated to be worth as much as $40 million as a stallion prospect — but he is not for sale.
YANKEE Rose, the cheapest horse in the race after being purchased for just $10,000 as a yearling, earned her connections $620,000 for second placing.
FAVOURITE Extreme Choice ($3.20) suffered interference at the start and came from last early to run eighth.
GAI Waterhouse’s attempt at a record seventh Golden Slipper turned into a nightmare with Kiss And Make Up (15th) and Scarlet Rain (16th) the last two to finish.
Peter Snowden embraced his son after the race and said this Golden Slipper meant so much more to him as he could share the training triumph with his family.
“It is very special, especially the way it happened,’’ Peter Snowden contined.
“We had a bit of trouble getting out but Blake had a lap full of horse and it looked like he had a lot to offer and once he got out it was a tremendous feeling and was so good to watch that last 200m.”
Snowden said it was unlikely Capitalist would be asked to stay in training and attempt the juvenile triple crown in the ATC Sires Produce Stakes and Champagne Stakes at Randwick.
“I’d say he will go for a spell now, he has done his job,’’ Snowden said.
“It is a great feeling to pull this off, particularly for those people who have backed us and our stable, their support has been outstanding and I feel justified in their faith in us and return serving a win like today, it’s a great result.
“James Harron was a big instigator in this whole program and in buying horses, We are very lucky to get a horse like this in our first crack.”
RELIVE OUR LIVE COVERAGE OF SLIPPER DAY BELOW
BLAKE’S EIGHT-YEAR WAIT WORTH IT
WINNING JOCKEY
BLAKE Shinn, rider of Capitalist, had to wait eight long years but finally he had his hands on the Golden Slipper trophy.
The champion jockey was only 20 in 2008 when he lost the ride on eventual Slipper winner Sebring due to a suspension.
“I was bitterly disappointed when Sebring won the Golden Slipper because I had been confident for weeks that he would win the race,’’ Shinn said.
“Later that year I won the Melbourne Cup on Viewed but I didn’t get to savour the moment because it was such a close finish.
“But today, once I got out on Capitalist and he sprinted so quickly at the 200m, I knew we had it won and for the last 75m I could actually enjoy the ride. ‘’
Shinn said it was a relief to finally win the Golden Slipper.
“This is Sydney’s biggest race and after what happened with Sebring, you start to think will I ever win it,’’ Shinn said.
“From the moment we tested Capitalist on the track we knew he was an outstanding colt and then he has been exceptional in races right through the season.
“We had bene confident, even after the Todman loss so words can’t describe the feeling now — I’m so emotional. This is the best feeling ever.
“This is one of the greatest races in the world and to be able to win it, I can’t thank everyone enough. This win is not just for me, it’s for everyone along the way who has helped me.”
Shinn said the raced worked out perfectly for him with Capitalist getting to trail one of his main rivals, and eventual third placegetter Flying Artie.
“We got a great run in transit, they went fast. I let Flying Artie cross me and was three back the fence and he settled so well,’’ Shinn said.
“I was waiting for my options around the 600m. He sprinted hard when I took a gap underneath Honesty Prevails and he really hit the line hard.
“Full credit to this horse’s ability. He’s backed up from the Magic Millions and come here today.
“I was just saying to him ‘C’mon, just one more performance and he did it for me. I am so proud.”
ROSE BLOOMS IN AUTUMN SUN
THE HARD-LUCK STORY
YANKEE Rose nearly pulled off a Golden Slipper miracle — but for trainer David Vandyke he felt like a winner.
Vandyke threw convention away and sent Yankee Rose into the Golden Slipper first-up off a three-month spell.
The trainer’s reasoning was that his filly is better suited at 1400m and further rather than the 1200m of a Golden Slipper and he needed to have her fit and fresh for the race.
After just over 70s, the only horse to beat Yankee Rose to the line in was the super colt Capitalist.
Even in defeat, Vandyke felt vindicated after his $10,0000 “cheapie” had run second in the world’s richest juvenile race, collecting $620,000 for her syndicate of mainly first-time owners.
“We nearly did it,’’ Vandyke said.
“She has run an enormous race. We have finished second but it feels like a win.
“Capitalist is the best two-year-old and there is no shame running second to such a good colt.
“We knew it wasn’t the normal Slipper preparation but I felt it is what would suit my filly and she has run up to her best.
“On this run she is going to be very hard to beat in the ATC Sires Produce Stakes when she gets to 1400m at Randwick.’’
Zac Purton, rider of Yankee Rose, described her filly’s second placing as a great effort.
“She was a little bit slow away but I was able to hold a good spot,’’ Purton said.
“We had a lovely run in the race. Just the whip rules, if I was able to get into her a little bit earlier I think she may have made it very interesting, but I had to wait and it was too late.’’
FIXED ODDS MOVEMENTS
DONCASTER MILE
Winx $8-$2.80 straight after winning the George Ryder Stakes; then into $2.30 with Chris Waller indicating she will run
Kermadec – runner-up in the George Ryder Stakes – $11-$4.60; then out to $6
Press Statement – third in the George Ryder Stakes – stayed $6; then out to $8
First Seal – fourth in the George Ryder Stakes – $8-$11
Happy Clapper – unplaced in the George Ryder Stakes – still $11
Turn Me Loose – unplaced in the George Ryder Stakes – $15-$26
ATC AUSTRALIAN DERBY
Tarzino – winner of the Rosehill Guineas – $2.80-$1.90
Jameka – third in the Rosehill Guineas – still $8
Vanbrugh – fourth in the Rosehill Guineas – $8-$11
Montaigne – runner-up in the Rosehill Guineas – still $11
Gold Ambition – unplaced in the Rosehill Guineas – $11-$26
Etymology – unplaced in the Rosehill Guineas – $15-$26
TJ SMITH STAKES
Exosphere $3.50-$2.80
Chautauqua still $4.60
English – unplaced in The Galaxy – $8-$11
Terravista – unplaced in The Galaxy – $11-$15
Dothraki – third in The Galaxy – $51-$26
ATC SIRES PRODUCE STAKES
Telperion – fourth in the Golden Slipper – $11-$4.60
Yankee Rose – runner-up in the Golden Slipper – $15-$4.60
Flying Artie – third in the Golden Slipper – $4-$6
Capitalist (Doubtful) – winner of the Golden Slipper – $15-$8
Extreme Choice (Doubtful) – unplaced in the Golden Slipper – $6-$11
Astern – unplaced in the Golden Slipper – $6-$15
QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES
Winx $1.90-$1.60
The United States (Not Nominated) – winner of the Ranvet Stakes – $8
Criterion – third in the Ranvet Stakes – still $11
Kermadec $15-$11
Press Statement $11-$15
Mongolian Khan – unplaced in the Ranvet Stakes – still $15
Hauraki – runner-up in the Ranvet Stakes – $26-$15
First Seal $15-$26
SYDNEY CUP
Libran – winner of the NE Manion Cup – $6-$3.50
Auvray – unplaced in the NE Manion Cup – $15-$26
Café Society – runner-up in the NE Manion Cup – $101-$26
ATC AUSTRALIAN OAKS
Jameka $8 - $4.60
Risque still $6
Sofia Rosa – runner-up in the New Zealand Oaks – $15-$11
Originally published as LIVE: Golden Slipper Day; betting updates, tips, late mail and breaking news from Rosehill Gardens
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