Vancouver’s Golden Slipper Odds Remain Steady

Vancouver is still available at 2015 Golden Slipper odds of $3 and there has been very little movement in the betting market for the Group 1 event that will be held at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon.

Vancouver remains a clear favourite in 2015 Golden Slipper betting markets. Photo by: Steve Hart

Vancouver remains a clear favourite in 2015 Golden Slipper betting markets. Photo by: Steve Hart

Vancouver has been Golden Slipper favourite since he demolished a strong field to take out the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on March 7, but the big money that was expected to come for the Medaglia D’Oro has not been seen after he drew towards the outside of the field at the Golden Slipper barrier draw.

Punters may not be keen to jump in at the $3 quote that is currently on offer for Vancouver, but trainer Gai Waterhouse remains extremely confident that the two-year-old can deliver her a record-equaling sixth win in the Golden Slipper.

It has been two weeks since Vancouver broke this track record, and since then he has done nothing more than freshen up,” Waterhouse said in a column on Racing.com.

“I like my colts happy and fresh leading into the Slipper and Vancouver is following the proven recipe without missing a beat.

“A lot of people have wanted to compare Pierro and Vancouver in the lead-up to the Golden Slipper.

“Both were unbeaten leading in to the great race, both are not only very handsome colts but are drop-dead gorgeous and both have a similar level of ability.”

The only other horse that is available at single figure odds in Golden Slipper betting markets is Godolphin’s leading chance Exosphere.

Exosphere was quickly backed from $4.60 into $4 at the conclusion of the barrier draw on Tuesday, but there has not been a great deal of money for the son of Lonhro in the last 24 hours and he remains steady at $4.

The talented juvenile stamped himself as a leading Golden Slipper contender when he took out the Group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m) at Warwick Farm on February 28 in most impressive fashion and Godolpin Racing Manager Jason Walsh rates the chances of the well-mannered colt in the world’s richest two-year-old race this afternoon.

“He is a really progressive colt for us and he just has the best attitude,” Walsh said.

“In our experience that is what makes the best two-year-old and he will walk around the mounting yard tomorrow like a four-year-old hopefully and we expect him to do.

“He couldn’t have been more impressive in the Skyline and he is a really exciting horse for that reason because we aren’t sure where the bottom is.”

There has been a sprinkling of support for Blue Diamond Stakes placegetter Lake Geneva ($18 into $16), Widden Stakes winner Fireworks ($41 into $34) and David Hayes-trained Reemah ($41 into $34), in the last 24 hours, while the likes of Odyssey Moon ($51 out to $81), Haybah ($51 out to $71), Single Gaze ($34 out to $61) and English ($13 out to $17) continue to drift.

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.