2025 Golden Slipper Day Turf Talk: Back the roughie or the obvious?

Form experts Mitch Cohen and Shayne O’Cass debate all the key chances on 2025 Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill Gardens.

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form experts Mitch Cohen and Shayne O’Cass debate all the key chances on 2025 Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill Gardens.

Mitch Cohen (left) and Shayne O'Cass.

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Shayno: Golden Slipper day. The three best words in racing. I love this race, always have, but it’s not about me. It’s about 16 potential winners and I mean that literally, any one of them could win.

Mitch: Shayno, the many thousand loyalists of this esteemed column may remember my declaration that Bellazaine would win the Slipper a few weeks ago. Her draw makes that a lot tougher but that’s why we are getting the $26 to find out. That Sweet Embrace run was terrific.

Another 2YO feature to @GaiWaterhouse1 -Bott, as Bellazaine wins the Listed @DarleyAus Lonhro Plate with @Reganbayliss in the saddle!@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/uWZCRppeCm

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 8, 2025

Shayno: There’s no standout, agreed, but I could make the case that Rivellino is ‘the obvious’. He’s unbeaten, I don’t think he has bottomed out in any of those races yet and hopefully barrier 3 is a plus.

🙌 Rivellino remains unbeaten, and announces himself as a real TAB Golden Slipper contender as he wins the G2 Skyline Stakes for @Leesracing!@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/YTh8hxNtTM

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 1, 2025

• 2025 Golden Slipper runner-by-runner form analysis, tips

Mitch: Are we going to end up with egg on our race with Wodeton? Chris Waller is a grand final trainer and his colt may just show his true colours on Saturday. Waller is in for a big day regardless, mind you.

Shayno: Via Sistina looks to have the Ranvet sewn up unless her new stablemate Full Count Felicia does ‘a Via Sistina’ on her.

Mitch: Anyone who got black odds about Via Sistina in the Ranvet must be laughing. She’s not getting beaten.

Oh yes she's brave!

Via Sistina adds another G1 to her list, and thrills us in the TAB Verry Elleegant Stakes! And it's a G1 double to @cwallerracing - @mcacajamez! 🤩@YulongInvest | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/yHSlubvXvz

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 1, 2025

• Shayne O’Cass’s race-by-race analysis and tips for Rosehill Gardens on Saturday

Shayno: The Rosehill Guineas is Round 3 in the Broadsiding vs. Swiftfalcon battle and while it is 2 -0 to Godolphin at present, I just get the impression Swiftfalcon is going to turn the tables at 2000m tomorrow.

Mitch: To steal a term from the WWE, I’ve got this as a triple threat match. Enter Goldrush Guru. The South Australian galloper has been flying this preparation and finally gets 2000m. He beats Swiftfalcon and Broadsiding in a thriller.

GOLDRUSH GURU wins the Penfolds Victoria Derby 🌟

It's a race to remember for @jamieleekah07 and Andrew Gluyas.

🎥 @wwos | #DerbyDay | #MelbCupCarnivalpic.twitter.com/k1P2iYAD9e

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 2, 2024

• Team Hawkes defies odds with Golden Slipper trio

Shayno: Two horses that I can’t wait to see how they perform in the big league in the Group 1 The Galaxy on Saturday are Private Harry and Briasa. With all these retirements happening this week, these two are part of the next generation.

Mitch: I know you’ve been waiting for my best bet, Shayno. Private Harry looks like something right out the box and that form around Lady Of Camelot has stood the test. The Everest slot holders will be circling come Sunday morning.

Private Harry takes out the Inaugural running of the TAB Sunlight! 👏@mmsnippets@SCTurfClub@[e-mail]/WFjTCf1SI6

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 4, 2025

• 2025 George Ryder Stakes runner-by-runner form analysis, tips

Shayno: The George Ryder? Ceolwulf for me.

Mitch: I am with Ceolwulf too but have to have a saver on the Big Dance hero Gringotts. He’s oozed Group 1 quality for a while now. Happy punting mate!

Originally published as 2025 Golden Slipper Day Turf Talk: Back the roughie or the obvious?