Horse Racing

With the world’s richest race for two-year-olds, the $3.5million Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m), just two sleeps away punters, trainers and other racing enthusiasts are keeping an eye on the sky trying to predict the track condition for Rosehill on Saturday.

Yesterday Rosehill racecourse was given a track rating of eight so by Saturday even without rain the track will be slow at best.

With many of the young contenders in the 2010 Golden Slipper untested in wet conditions, if the track doesn’t dry up the betting markets will open up.

Many of those who have backed the clear favourite, Military Rose, for a win are still feeling confident even with the threat of more rain.

Currently at $3.80 for a win in the Golden Slipper with IASbet, the Gillian Heinrich-trained Military Rose had an impressive win in the Reisling Stakes on a dead track at Rosehill last start and also managed to win on a slow track at Doomben late last year.

More and more Military Rose is proving over her five unbeaten starts that she can adapt and succeed in any conditions.

But, the level of competition she faces on Saturday in the Golden Slipper is intense and with a number of known wet track performers lining up it will be the General Nediym filly’s toughest test to date.

A Golden Slipper contender bred for both the Golden Slipper and the wet weather is the Gai Waterhouse-trained More Strawberries. Currently a $12 chance for Saturday with IASbet, trailing her more favoured stablemate Brightexpectations at $6, More Strawberries is a More Than Ready filly.

Her sire More Than Ready has produced the last two Golden Slipper victors Phelan Ready and Sebring, both winning on heavy tracks.

Other two-year-olds contesting the 2010 Golden Slipper who could develop into mudlarks are Hinchinbrook a previous winner on slow ground and long-priced outsider Elimbari, leaving many asking the question can a roughie win the 2010 Golden Slipper?