Golden Slipper betting offers a lot of unique challenges compared to other Group One events. The fact it is a race exclusively for two-year-old’s means it can often be challenging to get a good read of class and form leading into the Slipper simply due to lack of race experience. This could be multiplied even further if the runners are confronted with track conditions at Rosehill Gardens different to any they have previously raced on, a nightmare situation for punters to face. The trade off to this is usually a very generous betting market meaning if you get it right you will be rewarded well, especially through bookmaker.com.au. Make sure you consider all runners in the field before placing your bet as the Golden Slipper is always jam packed with a talented group of young sprinters. Don’t be afraid to include some roughies in your trifectas as they have a habit of featuring toward the front of the field. Remember also this will be the biggest event any of these horses have encountered in their short careers so runners with a good temperament may be a safer option given the incredible noise and atmosphere at Rosehill Gardens.
Having said this it’s certainly not just a lucky dip and there a a few specific lead up events giving punters a good gauge on the quality of the horses. Check out full fields and form guides available on bookmaker.com.au.
2013 Golden Slipper Betting & Odds
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1×311 | CRITERION (NZ) | David Payne | Hugh Bowman | 2 | 56.5kg | 13.00 |
| 2 | 7×4422 | FAST ’N’ ROCKING | David Hayes | Steven Arnold | 15 | 56.5kg | 19.00 |
| 3 | 13×216 | KUROSHIO | Peter Snowden | Joshua Parr | 16 | 56.5kg | 101.00 |
| 4 | 3x2L1 | SIDESTEP | Peter Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 5 | 56.5kg | 9.00 |
| 5 | 31×241 | I’M ALL THE TALK | Gary Portelli | Brenton Avdulla | 13 | 56.5kg | 21.00 |
| 6 | 1×21 | WHITTINGTON | Gai Waterhouse | Nash Rawiller | 10 | 56.5kg | 19.00 |
| 7 | 51×32 | DOTHRAKI | Gerald Ryan | Corey Brown | 3 | 56.5kg | 51.00 |
| 8 | 1×34 | CHARLIE BOY | Gerald Ryan | Glyn Schofield | 14 | 56.5kg | 26.00 |
| 9 | 0×129 | VA PENSIERO | Jason Coyle | Tim Clark | 8 | 56.5kg | 81.00 |
| 10 | 2×44 | WINDJAMMER | Bjorn Baker | Peter Robl | 12 | 56.5kg | 51.00 |
| 11 | 2×11 | OVERREACH | Gai Waterhouse | Tommy Berry | 1 | 54.5kg | 2.80 |
| 12 | 112111 | RUUD AWAKENING | Stephen Marsh | Craig Williams | 18 | 54.5kg | 13.00 |
| 13 | 12221 | SWEET IDEA | Gai Waterhouse | Jim Cassidy | 4 | 54.5kg | 8.50 |
| 14 | 11×2 | VILLA VERDE | Shaun Dwyer | Michael Rodd | 17 | 54.5kg | 11.00 |
| 15 | 2×119 | GUELPH | Peter Snowden | Christian Reith | 9 | 54.5kg | 21.00 |
| 16 | 1×81 | ROMANTIC MOON | John O’Shea | James McDonald | 6 | 54.5kg | 34.00 |
| 17e | 73 | HAVANA | Paul Messara | - | 11 | 56.5kg | - |
| 18e | 1 | IL CAVALLO | Peter G Moody | - | 7 | 56.5kg | - |
Odds from bookmaker.com.au. Correct at time of publication, subject to change.
Blue Diamond Stakes
The Blue Diamond Stakes are another Group one event held at Caulfield over a distance of 1200m. It is the flagship two-year-old sprint event of the Melbourne Autumn Carnival always attracting a quality field with $1,000,000 in prize money up for grabs. While on paper the Blue Diamonds act as a perfect lead up event in terms of distance and quality of field, it hasn’t produced the number of Golden Slipper winners as would be expected. In fact only four horses have ever completed the double Courtza (1989), Bounding Away (1986), Manikato (1978) and John’s Hope (1972). Despite this poor conversion rate any Blue Diamond winner has undoubted quality and is definitely worth a look in Golden Slipper betting.
- Status: Group 1
- Prize pool: $1,000,000
- Length: 1200m
- Date: Late February
- Venue: Caulfield
- Conditions: 2-year-old, set weight
- 2010 Winner: Star Witness
Reisling Slipper Trial:
The Reisling Slipper Trial is a fillies only Group two race held just a fortnight before the Golden Slipper. As with any Group race there is usually healthy competition in the field making for quality racing with this race worth $300,000. It is the perfect lead up to the Golden Slipper as it’s run over the same distance on the same track. The winner of the race is guaranteed a run in the Golden Slipper with the last horse to complete the double Polar Success winning in 2003.
- Status: Group 2
- Prize Pool: $300,000
- Length: 1200m
- Date: Fortnight before Golden Slipper
- Venue: Rosehill Gardens
- Conditions: 2-year-old fillies, set weight
- 2010 Winner: Military Rose
Magic Night Stakes:
The Magic Night Stakes is another fillies only Group two race, this one worth $175,000. As with the Reisling Slipper it is run at the same distance on the same track as the Golden Slipper. The only difference however is the Magic Night Stakes are held just a week before the Golden Slipper and is the last chance for any Slipper hopefuls to gain direct entry. Again on paper this race should produce any number of Golden Slipper winners but in recent years they have fallen just short. in 2008 and 2005 Magic Night winners Portfolio and Media both finished third and in 2002 Victory Vein ran second. It may be worth checking out the place betting markets for this years winner on bookmaker.com.au.
- Status: Group 2
- Prize Pool: $175,000
- Length: 1200m
- Date: Week before Golden Slipper
- Venue: Rosehill Gardens
- Conditions: 2-year-old fillies, set weight
- 2010 Winner: Willow Creek.
Todman Slipper Trial:
The Todman Slipper Trial is yet another favourite lead up event for trainers chasing the Golden Slipper. The Group two race for colts and geldings is worth $300,000 and run over 1200m on the Rosehill track, effectively making it the exact same as the Reisling Stakes but for male horses. The winner of this race is also granted direct entry into the Golden Slipper a fortnight later. The last horse to complete the Todman – Slipper double was Tierce way back in (1991), however Phelan Ready ran second in the Todman behind Real Saga in 2009 before going on to win the Golden Slipper with Real Saga fourth.
- Status: Group 2
- Prize pool: $300,000
- Length: 1200m
- Date: Fortnight before Golden Slipper
- Venue: Rosehill Gardens
- Conditions: 2-year-old, colts and geldings, set weight
- 2010 Winner: Masquerader
Pago Pago Stakes:
The Pago Pago Stakes mimic the Magic Night Stakes except are run for colts and geldings. The distance stays the same at 1200m on the Rosehill track just one week before the Golden Slipper. The final chance for male horses to gain direct entry into the main event with a prize pool of $175,000. The Pago Pago boasts a relatively recent winner which went on to win the Golden Slipper with Stratum completing the double in 2005.
- Status: Group 2
- Prize pool: $175,000
- Length: 1200m
- Date: Week before Golden Slipper
- Venue: Rosehill Gardens
- Conditions: 2-year-old, colts and geldings, set weight
- 2010 Winner: Brightexpectations
Golden Slipper Best Betting
Punters should have a look at all these lead up races to decide who they think performs best in the weeks leading up to the Golden Slipper. There are a number of online bookmakers offering juicy odds on all these lead up events. When the main event roles around though there is no better event then the Golden Slipper to take advantage of an incredible $300 free bet through bookmaker.com.au!
