Giuliani (outside) is favoruite for the Skyline Stakes ahead of next month's 2014 Golden Slipper. Photo: Steve Hart.
Gai Waterhouse’s chances of winning an incredible sixth Golden Slipper next month could receive a boost with one of her 2014 hopefuls Giuliani favourite for their lead-up run, the Skyline Stakes, at Randwick on Saturday.
Kicking off the exciting nine-race Randwick Guineas Day program in Sydney, this year’s $175,000 Group 2 Hyland Race Colours Skyline Stakes (1200m) is set to run as Race 1 at 1:17pm (AEST).
Eight two-year-old colts and geldings are due to face off in the event, the early favourite of which is Manhattan Rain colt Giuliani.
Drawn in gate seven with Tim Clark in the saddle, Giuliani is first-up here having debuted at the same track back in October when a luckless second to Unencumbered.
Waterhouse believes they should have won that race having suffered interference, however the protest lodged was dismissed leaving them a maiden.
Sent to the paddock to mature the colt is now back having smashed a February trial at Randwick winning by four and a half lengths in the lead-up to the Skyline Stakes.
Skyline Stakes betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au have Giuliani as the $2.50 favourite.
They’re also well liked for the lucrative $3.5 million Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on April 5 paying $21 in markets firmly led by Earthquake ($2.80).
There are then four other single figure chances for the Skyline Stakes on Saturday with:
- #3 Valentia ($4.20) – Tommy Berry rides this last start winner, also prepared by Waterhouse, who has their third career start here, the Fastnet Rock colt took out a 2YO handicap over the same track and distance on February 22 and is a shot to do it again ahead of a possible Slipper – ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes bid this autumn
- #1 Gold Force ($4.40) – Early money coming in for this nicely drawn galloper (barrier three) who is the market mover at this stage, Hawkes-trained Flying Spur gelding won the Inglis Premier by a breezy four lengths at Mornington last month with Craig Williams aboard, James McDonald taking over riding duties here
- #4 Time For War ($6.50) – Gerald Ryan’s Snitzel colt won their debut at Rosehill during the spring and comes into this on the back of a decent trial at Warwick Farm from March 11, need to improve on that but 1200m will suit better than the 800m which was too sharp
- #6 Zizumba ($9) – Anthony Cummings’ son of Danehill Dancer is out to break their maiden status after a second on debut at Hawkesbury late last month, looked very green there but stable says they benefited bucket loads from that run and are ready to improve as they look to secure a Sires Produce bid
The full Skyline Stakes 2014 betting odds are detailed below, fixed win prices you can lock in now online at the country’s fastest growing bookie Ladbrokes.com.au.
Ladbrokes.com.au are also offering the hottest futures Golden Slipper markets making now the time to get in on your favourite two-year-olds before prices firm over the coming weeks.
