We’ve seen a little of what’s to come in terms of Blue Diamond contenders with the Preview races on Australia Day and the build up to the Golden Slipper starts in earnest at Rosehill on Saturday with the Group III ATC Canonbury Stakes (1100m) for the colts and Group III ATC Widden Stakes (100m) for the fillies.
The leading contenders here are all homebreds with the favourite King’s Gambit, bred and retained to race by Newgate in partnership with Gooree Stud. The son of I Am Invincible was breathtakingly good winning his only start in the spring with a soft five length victory in the Listed MRC Debutant Stakes.
It will be a major shock if he gets rolled, but you can’t ignore Russian Revolution colt Red Resistance, who has race fitness on his side following a good tough debut win. He’s another homebred involving Newgate, who are partnered in this one with Go Bloodstock.
A hombred for Coolmore, Snitzel colt Shinzo has looked good at the trials and is a brother to Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Exhilarates from Group I winner Samaready, so bred to be up and going at two.
The Widden Stakes has a big field with plenty of chances and some fillies that have shown their potential on race day, while others have promised the world at the trials.
Cigar Flick (Churchill (IRE)was outstanding winning on debut on a heavy track at Canterbury, while the Gimcrack place-getters Perfect Proposal (Russian Revolution) and Divine Glory (Hellbent) are already stakes performers and have shown up in recent trials.
Unraced Learning to Fly (Justify (USA) and Mumbai Muse (Zoustar) have looked very good at the trials, while September Run’s half-sister Steel City (Merchant Navy) did everything but win on debut when a game second , beaten by Red Resistance….. if he runs well in the Canonbury, she might be the one to spring the upset.
Stay tuned for a Slipper market shakeup after these races on Saturday.
