No two-year-old has solidified as the prime candidate for the Golden Slipper, now a mere five weeks away.
Equal top pick Warwoven sits out after Queensland Racing veterinarians scratched him lame ahead of the Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast a month back, Incognito—the Breeders’ Plate hero—lost his return after palate issues, and Hidrix, that event’s winner, needs to echo his debut to firm his Slipper hopes.
Michael Freedman, who steered Marhoona to last year’s Golden Slipper, notes the field remains unpredictable, but recent winner Outspan might announce himself via Saturday’s Pierro Plate (1100m) at Randwick.
“There is no clear, dominant pick for the Slipper at this stage. It’s wide open, a little bit like last year,” Freedman said.
“He’s obviously going to have to put his hand up, but I’m happy with how he’s going.”
The Pierro Plate draws twelve untried sorts mostly, with solely three racing pre-Christmas.
This approach is standardizing, as seen in Golden Slipper winner patterns.
Six from ten recent champions hit tracks before Christmas, but three of five newest waited for New Year debuts.
Freedman readied Marhoona and Stay Inside (2021) that way.
“I think that’s going to be more the norm going forward,” Freedman said.
“Trainers are holding their horses back a bit longer. My two Slipper winners, neither of them started until the New Year, and I think that will become more common than not.”
Outspan’s January bow was a closing fifth versus Knightsbridge at Randwick’s 1000m, maiden triumph ensuing at Rosehill a fortnight after.
Like Stay Inside—who won debut January, Pierro Plate, then Slipper—Outspan treads parallel lines. See the betting markets for the race on Pierro Plate contenders.
The post Will Pierro Plate serve up another Golden Slipper contender? first appeared on Just Horse Racing.