There have been few changes to the markets ahead of Saturday’s Golden Slipper Stakes 2018, odds still led by the gun Tony McEvoy-trained filly Sunlight.
Race favourite Sunlight is out to be the first filly to complete the Magic Millions Stakes – Golden Slipper double in history. Photo: Steve Hart.
There are 16 two-year-olds facing off in the Group 1 $3.5 million Group 1 Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on the weekend, but the latest odds at Ladbrokes.com.au have only three under $10 to win.
Recent Golden Slipper results show that the past eight winners on the trot all saluted at single-figures so statistically it is one of this favoured trio in 2018 that should get the job done for the punters.
The best in Golden Slipper betting this Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival are Sunlight ($4.20), Ladbrokes Blue Diamond winning colt Written By ($5) and last start Sweet Embrace winning filly Seabrook ($9.50).
The favourite Sunlight, out to be the first top fancy to salute since Vancouver (2015), drew barrier five giving her hoop Luke Currie a nice passage early.
She has won her past five starts on the trot including last Saturday’s Group 3 Magic Night Stakes (1200m) at the same track / distance.
The Magic Night Stakes is race that hasn’t produced a Golden Slipper winner since Calaway Gal (2nd in 2002), while the double Sunlight is tipped to complete this year hasn’t been done since Bint Marscay (1993).
It was always McEvoy’s intention to run Sunlight on the quick back-up into the Golden Slipper, the immense 510kg filly needing plenty of racing to remain fit and peaking as proven when she won the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) in January on a seven day turnaround.
“I’ve never had to push her to do anything, she’s taken us there. If they are a two-year-old they are a two-year-old,” McEvoy told Racing NSW singing Sunlight plenty of praises ahead of Golden Slipper Day.
“I never push my young horses and she’s just wanted to sit at the front of the bus all the way along.
“Others might catch up to her when they get older but you’d be game to suggest that because she has got such class.”
Sunlight is out to make history as the first filly to do the Magic Millions – Golden Slipper double, a feat three boys have achieved over the years including Capitalist in 2016.
Like ace Sydney trainer Chris Waller who chases his first success with Performer and Fiesta, McEvoy has only ever been represented once before in a Golden Slipper field when Risen From Doubt ran 13th to the Team Hawkes-trained filly Mossfun in 2014.
The fillies were on top again last year with the Gary Portelli-trained She Will Reign (2017) winning on a Heavy (10) track and it is going to be another rain-affected course on Saturday.
The wet conditions are admittedly a concern for Sunlight, but she does have the winning Cranbourne trial from September last year on a Heavy (9) to give McEvoy hope his filly will handle the going.
“At least she’s had a feel of it under her feet and Luke loved her that day,” he said.
“And that was when we were assessing her to see what level she was. But trials are trials and when you have a hold of their head most horses handle the ground.
“She’s a high-class filly and you’d also be a game man to say she wouldn’t handle it.”
To back Sunlight to win the Golden Slipper 2018 at the right price this weekend visit Ladbrokes.com.au.
