Golden Slipper an Option for Skyline Stakes Winner Good Standing

Good Standing has stamped himself as a genuine Golden Slipper contender at Royal Randwick this afternoon; returning for an impressive first-up win in the Group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m).

Good Standing won the Group 2 Skyline Stakes at Randwick with relative ease this afternoon. Photo: Steve Hart

Good Standing won the Group 2 Skyline Stakes at Randwick with relative ease this afternoon. Photo: Steve Hart

Punters rallied around Good Standing in the hours leading up to jump, and the colt did his chances of success no harm whatsoever when jumping well and immediately taking up an ideal position in running on the heels of early leader Lionhearted.

Receiving an ideal run in transit just off the pace, jockey Hugh Bowman allowed the son of Artie Schiller a few strides to balance upon arriving at the final straight before mounting a final straight assault.

Immediately responding when asked for an extra effort, Good Standing locked in a fierce sprint battle with Lionhearted but was simply too good; pulling clear in the final 200m to post a maiden win at black type level.

Bowman delivered a typically good performance aboard Good Standing for success in the Skyline Stakes but revealed the colt still has plenty to learn in a short period of time to compete in the 2016 Golden Slipper.

“You can probably see what I mean when I say he’ll appreciate coming to the races today,” Bowman said after the race.

”I know he’s had a start but he still did a bit wrong.

“I know I was in the right position and it was probably a bit of a slowly run race early doors.

“He still ran around in the straight and I don’t think his mind was on the job at all. Therefore he ran with a good bit in hand.

“He doesn’t have a lot of time to learn what to do because the competition is not going to get any easier.”

Clear race favourite Telperion was settled at the rear of the small field of eight in the Skyline Stakes by jockey James McDonald and while making up some ground late, was unable to press into the minor placings and finished fourth.

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Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.