The Golden Slipper picture is starting to take shape.
Some juveniles are locked in. Others are scrambling for prizemoney. And for a few, this weekend is everything.
Here’s a look at the key players at this stage and what the likely path to Rosehill looks like.
Key Stats
11 of the past 15 winners came through the Todman or Reisling
(2023 Shinzo – Pago Pago / 2024 Lady Of Camelot – Blue Diamond / 2022 Fireburn – Sweet Embrace / 2019 Kiamichi – Magic Night)
11 of the past 15 winners started under $5 at their lead-up run
In the Slipper | Has enough prizemoney
Warwoven $9.00 / Campione D’Italia $13.00 / Spicy Miss $17.00
The Sydney trio already have enough prize money to secure their spots. All three ran in the G2 Skyline and G2 Sweet Embrace last week and are likely to go three weeks between runs into the Slipper with a tick-over trial in between.
Streisand $13.00 / Guest House $15.00 / Closer To Free $21.00 / Eternal Warrior $15.00
The Melbourne quartet head straight from the G1 Blue Diamond into the Slipper. That 28-day gap is intriguing but it mirrors the setup used successfully by Lady Of Camelot last year. Expect quiet trials and a direct assault on Rosehill.
Stretan Ruler $12.00 / Hidrix $15.00 / Agrarian Girl $26.00
All three are safe in the field but will contest the key lead-ups this Saturday in the G2 Todman and G2 Reisling. With 11 of the past 15 Slipper winners emerging from those races, history says they matter. The question is how hard connections push for victory versus simply tightening the screws.
Not Yet In | Needs more prizemoney
Paradoxium $9.00
His Wyong Magic Millions earnings do not count toward Slipper qualification. He trialled sharply over 900m last week and is the $2.50 favourite for the G2 Todman. He is also nominated for the Black Opal on Sunday worth $120k. He must win one of those races to secure a start.
Central Europe $9.00
In the same position as Paradoxium. He heads to the Pago Pago and would need to win to guarantee his place. A second placing would take him to roughly $102k in earnings which may be enough to sneak in. The quick back-up path mirrors Shinzo’s 2023 winning blueprint.
Wolf Gap $26.00 / Naadra $34.00
Both possess serious upside. They debuted together and cleared the third horse by three lengths. Both must win their next start to qualify. Wolf Gap runs in the Todman while Naadra lines up in either the Reisling or the Black Opal at Canberra.
