Ottoman Can Bounce Back In 2015 Golden Slipper

Ottoman has been largely ignored heading into the 2015 Golden Slipper, but trainer John O’Shea believes that the talented filly can bounce back to her best in the Group 1 at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon.

Ottoman has the chance to return to winning form in the 2015 Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart

Ottoman has the chance to return to winning form in the 2015 Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart

Ottoman went to the top of Golden Slipper betting markets when she stormed home from the tail of the field to win the Place Multi Plate (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on December 20, but she has been unable to record a race win since she was given a brief stint in the spelling paddock.

The Exceed And Excel filly started the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 21 as favourite, but she died on her run late after doing plenty of work early and could finish no better than fourth.

She produced a better performance in the Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m), but she was unable to finish over the top of English in the final stages of the race and her Golden Slipper odds drifted substantially.

O’Shea told Sky Racing HQ that Ottoman has had absolutely no luck in her three race starts to date, but he believes that she is set to receive the run of the race from an inside draw and represents good value at her current lengthy quote.

“When you go through her runs she has had no luck at any stage,” O’Shea said.

“She got squeezed out at her first run, she got posted three deep in her second run and James had to go back a lot further than we would have liked the other day at Randwick, but it was essential that we had a positive run coming into the Slipper.

“It was a slowly run race and he basically had to let her slide along from the 650 and she made a long run and was still there at the death.

“Today she gets one out one back or one our two back and I can see her coming to a peak.

“She is going to get the best run she has had in a race this prep and I thought earlier in the week when they put up $50 it was ridiculous.

“She is going well.”

Ottoman is currently available at 2015 Golden Slipper odds of $34, while Vancouver ($3) remains a clear favourite from Exosphere ($4.20), Headwater ($12), Ready For Victory ($14), Furnaces ($15) and Haptic ($16).

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.