‘Five lengths off the pace’: Professional punter Kingsley Bartholomew has major concerns over 2025 Golden Slipper favourite Wodeton

Professional punter Kingsley Bartholomew has declared long-time Golden Slipper fancy Wodeton a ‘genuine double figure chance’ as bookmakers face monster payouts if the colt delivers on Saturday.

One of Australia’s biggest professional punters has assessed long-time Golden Slipper fancy Wodeton as a “genuine double figure chance”.

Kingsley Bartholomew, who has been at the cutting edge of wagering for almost three decades, said there were several potential concerns with the hyped Chris Waller-trained youngster who is owned by heavy hitters including Coolmore.

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“Can he only perform on wet tracks?” Bartholomew questioned.

“Is his form declining? Will he be able to sprint off a hot early speed?”

Bartholomew said his ratings showed Wodeton’s peak rating from his three career starts had him equal with some of the other top picks in the Slipper.

However his last start runner-up effort in the Group 2 Todman Stakes – in which he appeared to have every chance but finished runner-up – had him well off the pace in the Slipper.

Tentyris WINS the Todman and books his spot in the Golden Slipper! 🏆

Wodeton makes the cut and is on his way to the Golden Slipper as well! pic.twitter.com/mqv5tJegFy

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 8, 2025

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“His peak rating has him equal with the top picks, but his last-start rating where he had every hope would have him five lengths off the pace in the Slipper,” Bartholomew said.

“This is the run that worries me the most as he was given every possible hope by James McDonald and his last 200(m) and 600(m) figures were the worst of his three runs.

“He is a genuine double figure chance for mine.”

Did we just see the Golden Slipper winner?! 😮

Wodeton wins brilliantly at Rosehill for @cwallerracing and @mcacajamez!@aus_turf_club | @CoolmoreAuspic.twitter.com/ZlCFYR68WS

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 18, 2025

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It comes as TAB senior trader Tim Ryan indicated the agency was facing close to a “seven-figure payout” on futures bets alone if Wodeton became a Golden Slipper hero.

The TAB and corporate bookmakers are facing monster payouts if Wodeton surges to victory in the Slipper.

With TAB, Wodeton was as short as $3 in Slipper betting in the week heading into the Silver Slipper in which he finished third.

He was $3.50 after that race and then $4.50 after the Todman – easing out to $5 and now better in Slipper week and losing his favourite tag with some corporate bookies who kept pushing him out and installed Godolphin filly Tempted as the new top pick.

On-track bookmakers at Rosehill on Saturday are likely to be generous with Wodeton’s price, given they don’t carry the liability of the TAB and corporate bookies.

What to do with Wodeton? @DufficyRon and @CoreyGoodSkillz aren't sure what to do with him... pic.twitter.com/nqNl4ARLiQ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 9, 2025

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Ryan said TAB was also keen to take on Wodeton on race day when “the gloves would come off.”

“It is pushing towards a seven-figure payout on futures bets alone for us, if Wodeton wins,” Ryan said.

“We have been playing hardball with his price, but the gloves will come off on race day when we will be keen to lay him.

“Wodeton was $51 into $13 in Slipper betting with us before his first start and a lot of the damage was done then.

“The $13 is the shortest we have ever had a horse in Slipper betting before the horse has had its first start.”

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Earlier this week, it was revealed that Waller had tinkered with Wodeton’s gear in a bid to help the colt get his mind on the job in the $5m Golden Slipper.

“We didn’t go with the full blinkers, we’ve gone the winkers just to help him concentrate probably more the second half of the race, not the first half, we want to switch him off and relax,” Waller said at Tuesday’s barrier draw event.