2017 Golden Slipper Tips: Catchy The Horse To Beat

Catchy, above in red and white colours, will be facing a wet track for the first time in the Golden Slipper at Rosehill. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Catchy is one of the leading contenders in the 2017 Golden Slipper. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos

Form expert Deane Lester has Catchy on top of his 2017 Golden Slipper tips and he believes there is no reason the unbeaten filly can’t win again at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Catchy has done nothing wrong during her racing career to date and she will go into the Golden Slipper on the back of a fast-finishing victory in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 25.

The Fastnet Rock filly has not had a race start since her Blue Diamond Stakes triumph, but Lester told RSN that she is still the horse to beat in the Golden Slipper this afternoon.

“I think that Catchy can continue on her winning ways,” Lester said.

“The Melbourne form is already showing up pretty well – we saw Tulip go up there last week and win – and I think that she is beautifully drawn.

“She will be very hard to beat.”

While Lester has Catchy on top of his 2017 Golden Slipper tips, it is Houtzen that is currently on top of betting and she has been backed from $4.40 into $4 this morning.

Houtzen also takes an unbeaten record into the Golden Slipper and Lester believes that the wide barrier draw will not be an issue for the Magic Millions Classic winner.

“Houtzen is from the Brisbane form line and the Magic Millions,” Lester said.

“I’ve got no problem with the barrier and she will be straight across them.

“She has a great chance.”

There has been plenty of money for a number of the outsiders in the 2017 Golden Slipper field, especially Diamond Tathagata who has been $71 into $31, but Lester believes that Godolphin-owned Trekking is the best roughie in the race.

Trekking chased home Trapeze Artist to finish second in the Black Opal Stakes at Canberra on March 5 and Lester is confident that the Street Cry colt has plenty of upside.

“He has drawn an awful gate, but I think the best roughie is Trekking,” Lester said.

“We haven’t quiet seen the best of him yet, but if he has any luck from that draw he can run very well.”

Houtzen is currently available at 2017 Golden Slipper odds of $4 with Ladbrokes and she is a clear favourite from Catchy ($6), She Will Reign ($7), Frolic ($8.50) and Tulip ($9.50).

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.