Ottoman To Need Luck In Silver Slipper Stakes

Ottoman is currently available at 2015 Silver Slipper Stakes odds of $2.80, but trainer John O’Shea believes that she is going to need luck in running to take out the Group 2 event at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow.

Ottoman will be the sole Godolphin representative in the Silver Slipper Stakes following the withdrawal of Holler. Photo by: Steve Hart

Ottoman will be the sole Godolphin representative in the Silver Slipper Stakes following the withdrawal of Holler. Photo by: Steve Hart

Ottoman made her racing debut in the Place Multi Plate (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on December 20 and overcame a poor start as well as a checkered run to storm home late and stamp herself as a genuine Golden Slipper contender.

O’Shea admits that the first-up performance of Ottoman was outstanding and believes that she has plenty of talent, but is worried about how the race will be run and feels that the daughter of Exceed And Excel will need a great deal of luck in running to beat a number of talented rivals in the 2015 Silver Slipper Stakes field.

“The filly is well-documented, she is very talented,” O’Shea said.

“She has an awkward gate and she may be three pairs back giving a start to some very good horses.

“It is just a bit of a conundrum with her, but she is going very well and we are happy with her.

“The way she maps is what may be her undoing.

“There is no doubting her ability and she is ready to run well, but whether the race will turn out to suit her we will find out on the day.

“She is going to need some luck in running and a good ride from James to give her a chance.”

While O’Shea believes that Ottoman will need luck in running in the Silver Slipper Stakes, he is confident that stablemate Holler can take up the running in the early stages of the race and give himself every possible chance.

Holler made his racing debut with over Widden Stakes winner Fireworks in the Hyland Race Colours Plate (1100m) at Royal Randwick on January 17 and O’Shea said the Commands colt could be just as good as his more fancied stablemate.

“Obviously Holler has the better gate and he looks to roll forward and probably dictate the tempo of the race at this stage,” O’Shea said.

“With the rail out six at Rosehill tomorrow I think that will be a significant advantage, so he comes into the race with a nice chance.

“There is not much between them and he is a good galloping colt.

“He will be well suited when the chips are down in any sort of race.”

Update: Holler has been scratched from the 2015 Silver Slipper Stakes, while Ottoman ($2.40) remains favourite from Headwater ($3), Paceman ($3.40) and Voilier ($9).

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.