Electrifying colt Vancouver took over favouritism for the Golden Slipper after scoring a scintillating win in the Group 2 $300,000 UNSW Todman Stakes (1200m) at Randwick today.
Vancouver is the new Golden Slipper favourite after a scintillating win in the Todman Stakes at Royal Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart
Headwater ($1.75 favourite) was caught three wide in the small five horse field and never threatened in the straight to be a further two lengths away in third spot.
The Gai Waterhouse trained Vancouver ($4.60) had to overcome a pre-race barrier scare when he burst through the gates but was quickly restrained by Tommy Berry and was cleared by the vet to run and run he did, recording 1.8.83 sec for the 1200m.
Waterhouse also saddled up the winner of the fillies two year old race, the Group 2 $300,000 Guinness Reisling Stakes (1200m), English who ran 1.10.19 secs for the same distance as the colts.
“That was pretty exciting,” Berry said.
“ I was a bit worried when he brokethrough the barriers, but he is one of them cool, calm, collected horses and even when he broke through I said to the ponies leave me alone, he will get back there himself.”
“He is such a professional. We were cruising along at a nice pace today.”
Waterhouse was very excited with the prospect of winning her sixth Golden Slipper in a fortnight and will go into the glamour two year old race with the best performed colt in the country.
“He is the most dominant colt in Australia,” Waterhouse said.
“It was absolutely scintillating the way he ate up his rivals here today. I just look forward to him in the Slipper.”
