Golden Slipper Contenders among Silver Slipper Stakes nominations

Several Golden Slipper Stakes contenders are among the nominations for the Group 2 $250,000 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Astern, above, is one of three John O'Shea trained two year olds entered for the Silver Slipper Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.

Astern, above, is one of three John O’Shea trained two year olds entered for the Silver Slipper Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.

With only twelve two year olds entered, The Australian Turf Club has extends nomination for the Silver Slipper Stakes until 11am on Tuesday, February 16.

The John O’Shea trained Astern is currently in equal twentieth position in the order of entry for the Group 1 $3.5m Longines Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on March 19 and one of three Godolphin youngsters entered for Saturday.

First starter Honeywine and Canterbury winner Morton’s Fork will also be representing the O’Shea stable.

Astern is on the third line of betting at Ladbrokes.com.au at $11 for the Golden Slipper Stakes courtesy of his two and a half lengths win at his only race start in a 1000m two year old Plate at Randwick on December 5 and a win on Saturday will guarantee him a place in the world’s richest two year old.

The Medaglia D’Oro colt has been primed for a good first up showing with a two length win over stablemate Honeywine in an 800m Warwick Farm barrier trial on February 8.

Gai Waterhouse’s unbeaten filly Scarlet Rain is set to take on the colts and geldings in the Silver Slipper Stakes and is also well in contention for the Golden Slipper Stakes at $17.

Scarlet Rain is currently number seven in the order of entry for the Golden Slipper Stakes with $97,500 in prizemoney from wins in a 1100m two year old Plate at Rosehill on January 2 and in a 1000m two year Plate at Randwick on January 23.

Co-trainers Peter and Paul Snowden are hoping Defcon has recovered from a virus that forced his scratching from last Saturday’s Group 3 $200,000 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) (1100m) at Caulfield and will be able to take his place in the Silver Slipper Stakes.

Defcon has only been to the races on one occasion for a second to Tessera in the Group 3 $150,000 Canonbury Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on January 30 but went around in the Rosehill barrier trials today for a fourth to Hayman over 900m.

Team Snowden has also nominated King Of War for the Silver Slipper Stakes and the Exceed And Excel colt scored an impressive three and a half lengths win in a 900m Rosehill trial today.

Silver Slipper Stakes nominations: Astern, Defcon, Honeywine, In The Vanguard, King Of War, Morton’s Fork, Mount Panorama, Pittsburgh, Rather Sweet, Scarlet Rain, Star Of Monsoon, Ubatuba.

 

 

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.