Eloping Could Surprise In Golden Slipper

Eloping is currently rated an outsider in 2014 Golden Slipper betting markets, but trainer Peter Morgan is confident that the talented filly will perform well in the Group 1 event this weekend.

Eloping will jump from barrier 16 with Stephen Baster on on board in the 2014 Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens this weekend.

Eloping will jump from barrier 16 with Stephen Baster on on board in the 2014 Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Eloping made her racing debut with a win in Bendigo at the end of last year and took out the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) at Caulfield on January 25 before finishing second behind Earthquake in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m).

The Choisir filly produced the worst performance of her career to date in the Listed Sports 1000 (1000m) at Flemington on March 1, but returned to her best form with a dominant win in the Gold Rush (1000m) at Bendigo on March 15.

Morgan told Racing Ahead that he has been delighted with the form of Eloping and believes she may perform better than her Golden Slipper odds suggest at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

“You can’t fault her form really,” Morgan said.

“She probably only has the one blemish and that was at Flemington when I think I stuffed things up a bit.

“She could have broken two records pushed out a little bit more.

“I can’t believe how her legs have been; she just doesn’t have any blemishes whatsoever.

“If she handles the wet and she handles the occasion I think that she will run a very good race.”

Eloping has taken up the running in all five of her career starts to date and most speed mappers expect her to lead the Golden Slipper field in the early stages of the race this weekend.

Morgan said that Eloping will be given the opportunity to jump and run, but would be happy for jockey Stephen Baster to take a sit just off the lead if another horse is keen to head to the front out of the gates.

“We are not going to change it, but if Oakleigh Girl or something else wants to go hard there may be an opportunity to just sit on the pace,” Morgan said.

“I have always wanted to do that with her.”

Earthquake ($2.40) and Mossfun ($5) remain clear favourites in 2014 Golden Slipper betting markets; while Eloping is available at the lucrative odds of $71 to claim victory in the $3.5 million race.

Morgan is casing his first win at Group level since he took out the 2011 edition of the D’Urban Stakes (1400m) with Dusty Star.

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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.