Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse extended her record to eight victories in the 2024 Golden Slipper results taking out the world’s richest race for two-year-olds with class filly Lady Of Camelot in an upset.

2024 Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot handed Gai Waterhouse a record extending eighth win in the world’s richest race for juveniles. Photo: Steve Hart.

The stable’s unbeaten Magic Millions 2YO Classic – Skyline Stakes winning colt Storm Boy was all the rage in betting on this year’s bumper Group 1 $4.92 million Golden Slipper Stakes field.

The son of Justify however missed the kick and had to work hard the early stages to recover before getting caught for a run and then charging up the inside late to eventually run third as the beaten favourite.

Lady Of Camelot meanwhile was given a gun ride by Blake Shinn in the 1200m classic with the daughter of Written Tycoon settling nicely in fourth throughout as she returned to Sydney off a second in Caulfield’s Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) back in late February.

Fellow Waterhouse/Bott runners Shangri La Express and Straight Charge were the first couple into stride with Golden Gift winner Shangri La Express taking up front running to lead the Slipper field around.

He was challenged on the straight however with the Matt Laurie-trained Victorian raider Coleman, coming off a Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes third, looking the danger charging wide out in a big finish.

There were three battling it out with Storm Boy the inside, Coleman up the middle, and Group 3 Widden Stakes winner at the track – Lady Of Camelot – right down the outside.

In the end the filly dove on the line to post a spectacular win over the brave Coleman, who had been under a cloud all week, to join Fireburn (2022) as the latest girls to beat home the colts and geldings in the event.

“Fantastic. We’ve spoken on numerous occasions throughout this week about what this race means to the stable, the industry, the public. It’s a great race to win,” co-trainer Adrian Bott told Sky Thoroughbred Central post-victory. 

“I’m delighted to be able to do that once again and alongside a special person in Gai Waterhouse, who I have to thank so much for the career. The partnership we’ve been able to do together.

“It’s a great achievement. She has gone to another level again, eight Slippers for her now.

“She (Lady Of Camelot) has been very brave to do that as well and a great ride by Blake Shinn.”

Fireburn was also the last two-year-old to complete the Golden Slipper Stakes – Inglis Sires’ double.

The Group 1 $1 million Inglis Sires’ (1400m) runs at Randwick on April 6 and all-in markets at Ladbrokes.com.au on Lady Of Camelot to salute in that have firmed into $5.

Storm Boy remains favourite with the updated pre-field 2024 Inglis Sires’ odds available in full here.

“It got a bit messy for him, he couldn’t get any momentum, he will push on to the Triple Crown I think,” Bott said confirming plans for Storm Boy.

Jockey Ryan Moore confirmed Storm Boy would be an improver over 1400m next-up in the Inglis Sires’ and into the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) this prep.

“Didn’t begin as cleanly as I would have liked (today),” he said.

“Had to switch my run toward the inside which wasn’t ideal.

“He’s a very talented horse. Didn’t have the rub of the green today.

“Probably improve when he goes a bit further.”

2024 Golden Slipper Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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