The 2020 Golden Slipper odds have firmed on classy filly Cellsabeel who has shot to the top of the pre-field markets on the $3.5 million classic after a runaway win in the wet at Rosehill.
Cellsabeel is the new favourite in 2020 Golden Slipper betting after a big win in the wet at Rosehill. Photo: Steve Hart.
The Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained daughter of Hinchinbrook out of Group 1 winner Our Egyptian Raine broke her maiden status at her second career start relishing the Heavy (8) track in the first in Sydney on Saturday.
Racing fresh off the back of two impressive barrier trial wins, Cellsabeel lined-up as the $2 favourite in the $125,000 Iron Jack Handicap (1100m) with two-time Golden Slipper winning hoop Tommy Berry (Overreach in 2013 and Vancouver in 2015) in the saddle.
Fourth on debut in the $1 million Golden Gift (1100m) at the same track and distance back in November, the $400,000 yearling atoned for her unplaced performance behind Dame Giselle having been hampered by a wide barrier 14 of 14 draw that day.
In the Iron Jack Handicap, Cellsabeel easily accounted for her rivals with a barnstorming six length success over the Godolphin-raced In Flanders in her first look at a rain-affected track.
“I couldn’t believe how easily she got there,” Berry said post-win.
“I have ridden quite a few two-year-old winners this season and she is right up there with the best.
“They put the blinkers on her today and I made sure she stretched right out.
“She was worth getting wet for.”
The effortless success was exactly what the team were hoping to see as the filly heads towards the world’s richest race for juveniles, the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) running at Rosehill Gardens on March 21 this Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
Cellsabeel is the second two-year-old filly in as many weeks to stamp Golden Slipper claims for the stable following the excellent $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) win by Away Game at the Gold Coast last Saturday.
“We have had a big opinion of her right from the start,” co-trainer Maher said of Cellsabeel on Saturday.
“She has always been a high-quality horse and she will head to the Slipper along with Away Game while Rathlin will head to the Blue Diamond.”
Sixth in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic results, Fastnet Rock colt Rathlin pays $31 to take out the Group 1 $1.5 million Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 22.
Before Saturday’s win, Cellsabeel was at $26 in the all-in Golden Slipper betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au.
She has now firmed into the $6 favourite ahead of the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Golden Gift winner Dame Giselle ($10).
Away Game is at $17 with Maher & Eustace chasing their first Golden Slipper Stakes success.
Click here for the latest Golden Slipper 2020 odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.
