Within the hour the world’s richest two-year-olds’ race and the Sydney Autumn Carnival’s most prized feature, the $3.5 million Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m), will light up Rosehill Gardens Racecourse and the experts are tipping an upset Golden Slipper result.
Peter Snowden’s Blue Diamond Stakes winning colt Sepoy remains at the top of the Golden Slipper odds at an easing quote of $3.50.
The son of Elusive Quality won his first four starts before suffering defeat at the hands of fellow Slipper rival and market firmer Smart Missile in the Todman Stakes last-start.
Although one of the best-tried runners in this year’s Golden Slipper field, Sepoy has an awkward barrier nine draw to contend from today and the punters and racing experts have not been confident to back him.
After taking out the Todman and having come up trumps in the Golden Slipper barrier draw with gate five, Anthony Cummings’ improving Fastnet Rock colt Smart Missile has been well supported now into $4.60 to beat Sepoy for a second time.
“I’m steering around the favourites here as they both appear well found in the market,” Luxbet’s bookmaker Paul Vincent said.
With the Rosehill track having been upgraded over the past 24 hours and rain yet to fall, the dry trackers come back into Golden Slipper contention this afternoon.
One-time second favourite behind Sepoy in the Golden Slipper markets, Clarry Conners’ Flying Spur Satin Shoes also suffered her first defeat recently when second to Elite Falls in the Reisling Stakes.
“Providing the track isn’t wet I think Satin Shoes can secure a soft run from her inside gate and looks a good gamble at double figure odds,” Vincent said.
Satin Shoes will jump from barrier two and is currently paying $11 in the market.
The other Golden Slipper hopeful Vincent rates over the favourites is the John O’Shea-trained Foxwedge.
Another progressive son of Fastnet Rock, Foxwedge was third in the Todman last start having won his two previous races and despite a wide barrier 10 draw is the third pick in the markets at $9.
“Foxwedge looms as the main danger after showing strong form since resuming and with the addition of blinkers is capable of winning,” Vincent told Races.com.au.
The 2011 AMMI Golden Slipper will jump at 4:05pm (AEDST) at Rosehill this afternoon.
