Undefeated Colts In Todman Stakes Field

The 2016 Todman Stakes field has been released and four undefeated colts as well as two of the most promising juveniles in the country are set to do battle in the Group 2 event at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Capitalist is one of four undefeated horses that have been included in the 2016 Todman Stakes field. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Capitalist is one of four undefeated horses that have been included in the 2016 Todman Stakes field. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Capitalist went straight to the top of Golden Slipper betting markets after he made his racing debut with a very comfortable win in the Listed Breeders’ Plate (1000m) at Royal Randwick on October 3 and he lost no admirers with his wins in the Wyong Magic Millions (1100m) on December 17 and the $2 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 9.

The Written Tycoon colt was sent for a stint in the spelling paddock following his Magic Millions victory, but he was tuned up for the Todman Stakes with a barrier trial over 837 metres at Royal Randwick on February 19.

Capitalist is joined in the Todman Stakes field by stablemate Defcon, but at this stage the son of Choisir is set to contest the Black Opal Stakes at Canberra on Sunday.

Another trainer with multiple runners in the 2016 Todman Stakes field is John O’Shea, who has included both Astern and Tessera in the entries for the $300,000 event.

Astern made his racing debut with a very comfortable victory in the Surf Meets Turf Plate (1000m) at Royal Randwick on December 5 and he returned to the races with a win in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 20.

Tessera scored a narrow win in the Agribaba Plate (1100m) at Royal Randwick on January 16 and he stamped himself as a legitimate Golden Slipper contender when he beat Defcon to take out the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on January 30.

One of the most interesting horses in the 2016 Todman Stakes field is Kiss And Make Up, who is owned by John Singleton and trained by Gai Waterhouse.

Kiss And Make Up impressed in barrier trials in the lead-up to his racing debut and he justified the hype to upstage Detective and Star Of Monsoon to take out the Maiden Plate at Canterbury on February 17.

The Todman Stakes field is rounded out by Paul Messara-trained Weatherly, who will make his Sydney racing debut in the Group 2 event.

Weatherly blew the start and had no luck when he made his racing debut in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) at Caulfield on January 26, but he showed what he was capable of when he recorded a very impressive victory in the Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on February 20.

The Todman Stakes has produced two of the past four winners of the Golden Slipper, in the form of Pierro in 2012 and Vancouver in 2015.

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.