Racing powerhouse Coolmore have another two-year-old into the Group 1 $5 million Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) following the arrogant 2023 Pago Pago Stakes win by the Chris Waller-trained Shinzo.

2023 Pago Pago Stakes winner Shinzo is into the Golden Slipper field for trainer Chris Waller. Photo: Steve Hart.

The nicely-bred son of Snitzel out of former class mare Samaready was at 25/1 in all-in 2023 Golden Slipper betting at Ladbrokes.com.au before today’s Group 3 $200,000 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) after going down as the $3.20 favourite last start.

He was runner-up in the Group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m) at Randwick following a third on debut in the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes (1100m) a month earlier, and he has now broken his maiden status in a third-up upset.

Shinzo ($4.40) was given a perfectly-timed ride by gun hoop James McDonald who dragged the youngster back to last on the home straight giving the two-year-old the room he needed to charge home late down the outside to secure his spot in the Golden Slipper Stakes field at Rosehill on March 18.

Showing great improvement the Pago Pago Stakes winner was much sharper atoning for his Skyline Stakes loss and rewarding the faith of his trainer Waller.

“He looks the real deal,” Waller told Sky Thoroughbred Central post-victory.

“Last start he got in the ruck and just didn’t get galloping room, he wasn’t really comfortable.

“Today, albeit going back to last, he had the chance to come around them and have clear air and I think that’s what he needed. 

“I was actually pleased to see a wide draw today. He drew the outside, went back to last, did the first half of the race the right way.

“He got into a beautiful rhythm, loomed up effortlessly and it was good to see him fight the last 100 (metres).

“We’ve always known he was a decent horse.

“He’s probably not your natural two-year-old speedster, hence the reason why he got beaten last start.

“James (McDonald) had him in a perfect position, but he just wasn’t comfortable there.

“Then we learned later in the day they needed to be out wider on the track.” 

Runner-up finishing well up the inside was Grahame Begg‘s Talindert Stakes winner at Flemington last start, beaten $4 favourite Maharba, who will bypass the Slipper and be saved for a shot at the Group 1 $1 million Inglis Sires’ (1400m) at Randwick on April 1.

The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Bases Loaded then rounded out the Pago Pago Stakes trifecta snaring third after racing keenly on speed throughout before finishing just ahead of his front-running stablemate Introducing who wandered across the track late.

Waller will be chasing his first Golden Slipper Stakes success this season and believes he has the right type horse in Shinzo to handle the short seven-day turnaround into the big one.

“His demeanour, it (the quick back-up) won’t affect him,” Waller said.

“He is the most chilled out horse you could imagine. He’s got the physique to deal with it because he’s a nice roomy colt.

“I haven’t punished him to get here, he’s done it all naturally believe it or not.

“They’re the types of horses that are going to run in the race and most important come out of the race as well.”

Stratum (2005) was the last horse to complete the Pago Pago Stakes – Golden Slipper double and updated markets on this year’s Slipper have Shinzo into $15 to be the next.

Click here for the latest pre-field Golden Slipper Stakes 2023 odds online from Ladbrokes.com.au.

2023 Pago Pago Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Table Credit: Racing Australia.