Next stop Golden Slipper for unbeaten Kris Lees’ unbeaten colt Rivellino after win in 2025 Skyline Stakes at Royal Randwick

Rivellino didn’t need to win by far to preserve his unbeaten record and prove he’s a legitimate Golden Slipper contender at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Jason Collett (green, red silks) rides Rivellino to victory in the Group 2 Skyline Stakes at Royal Randwick. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

Rivellino didn’t need to win by far to preserve his unbeaten record and prove he’s a legitimate Golden Slipper contender at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

The Kris Lees-trained Rivellino scored his third win from as many starts when he finished fast to win the Group 2 $300,000 Skyline Stakes (1200m).

“I think he showed today that he is going to be competitive in the Golden Slipper,’’ Lees said.

“The two-year-olds have been taking it in turns all season but Rivellino will be one of the few undefeated horses in the Slipper so he deserves his chance.’’

Rivellino ($5.50), ridden by Jason Collett, edged out Skyhook ($9) by a head with a similar margin to Quietly Arrogant ($7.50).

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The race was run at a slow early tempo – the winner stopped the clock at a modest 1m 10.39s although his closing 600m sectional was an impressive 33.25s – and there was less than a length separating the first four over the line with early leader Valedictorian just missing a place.

The previously unbeaten Shaggy started $2.45 favourite and after looming up to challenge Valedictorian at the 250m he faded to finish only fifth.

Trainer Allan Kehoe indicated Shaggy might have come to the end of his preparation and was likely to go for a spell.

🙌 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

Lees, the champion Newcastle trainer, confirmed Rivellino will now go straight to the $5 million Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on March 22 without another run.

“He’s a proper horse, this bloke. We look forward to getting there (to the Golden Slipper),’’ Lees said.

“He’s pretty versatile and I think on a really hot speed you’ll see a better product again – but he was good today.’’

Rivellino will be Lees’ second Golden Slipper runner although the trainer’s first experience was forgettable with Elimbari finishing last behind Crystal Lily in 2010.

Although the Skyline ended in a bunched finish, Rivellino’s effort to come from behind in a slowly-run race was full of merit.

“I’m really happy with him,’’ Lees continued. “They didn’t go that hard but Jason summed it up, he let him stride up into a three-deep line with cover.

“I just stressed to him to get cover in the race, as much as we wanted to win today I didn’t want him having a tough run facing the breeze, then he let down really well.

“We’ll put him in cotton wool and look forward to three weeks’ time.”

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Rivellino is by boom stallion Too Darn Hot, the former top sprinter who was raced by renowned English composer Andrew Lloyd Weber and is the sire of three-time Group 1 winner Broadsiding.

The colt is the first foal to race out of the So You Think mare Intrinsic, who Lees trained to win three races and finish fourth in two Listed events, the Ramornie Handicap and Gai Waterhouse Classic.

Rivellino cost $180,000 at the Inglis Classic Sale and is named after a key member of Brazil’s famous 1970 World Cup-winning football team.

“He’s a proper horse this bloke”@Leesracing is looking forward to the TAB Golden Slipper after Rivellino’s impressive Skyline Stakes win today! Hear from Kris and Jason Collett after the win 👇@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/8AtOcHMAKu

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 1, 2025

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The unbeaten youngster’s ownership group includes close friend Edward Throsby who has raced horses with Lees for three decades including the trainer’s very first winner, Cherokee Lass at Newcastle in 1996.

The Throsby family is one of NSW racing’s most successful breeders and Edward’s sister, Edwina, bred champion sprinter Chautauqua.

Leading Sydney racing identities Frank and Christine Cook have raced many Group 1 winners over the years but as part-owners of Rivellino, the couple will break new ground at Rosehill later this month.

Rivellino gets home out wide to win the Skyline. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

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“We have never had a Golden Slipper runner before,’’ Mrs Cook said. “This is very exciting.’’

Rivellino has a chance to become the first horse to complete the Skyline-Golden Slipper double since Dance Hero in 2004.

Dance Hero trained on to complete the juvenile triple crown, following his Golden Slipper win by taking out the ATC Sires (1400m) and Champagne Stakes (1600m) and Lees hasn’t ruled out setting Rivellino for the three Group 1 races.

Rivellino has firmed from $26 into $15 with TAB Fixed Odds for the Golden Slipper behind $3.50 favourite Wodeton, trained by Chris Waller.

Minor placegetters Skyhook and Quietly Arrogant narrowly missed Golden Slipper qualification, leaving their jockeys lamenting what might have been.

“That was disappointing because he had the run, got lost in running, had to re-run momentum and finished really well,’’ said Kerrin McEvoy, rider of Skyhook. “He’s a lovely horse going forward.”

James McDonald said Quietly Arrogant was “really good” but very unlucky: “He probably should have won with clear running,’’ he said.