There is an argument to be made that Golden Slipper Day is the best single day of racing across the entire Australian racing calendar.
It is the only day that has five Group 1 races on the same card and we are in store for a fantastic day of quality racing at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Our full 2022 Golden Slipper Day Tips & Preview.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
Race 1: Benchmark 72 Handicap (1500m) 12:10pm
Tip: No. 14 Stellar Performer
The Brad Widdup trained Stellar Performer has managed three wins from her seven career race starts including a win first up at Newcastle over 1300m.
The daughter of Sebring will take plenty of benefit out of that run and the step up in distance to 1500m also suits considering she is a winner at 1600m in the past.
Jason Collett will need to be at his best to find the best run in transit from barrier 16.
Race 2: Listed Darby Munro Stakes (1200m) 12:45pm
Tip: No. 14 Smirnova
Smirnova would have bolted in if she found any clear air at all when resuming at The Valley first up over the short course two weeks ago.
Although that was just a benchmark 78 race, it was against the older horses and she is clearly a filly with plenty of ability.
That was the first time she had tasted defeat in her short career and despite this being her biggest test so far, she represents great each way value.
Race 3: Group 3 Manion Stakes (2400m) 1:25pm
Tip: No. 5 Zeyrek
Zeyrek bolted in at Randwick last start on the heavy 10 and I’m struggling to find a reason he won’t beat a similar field in this event.
The five year old gelding will be required to carry more weight but his record at the distance and on the rain effected track is good and Willy Pike clearly gets the best out of the horse.
Race 4: Group 3 Epona Stakes (1900m) 2:00pm
Tip: No. 1 Le Lude
Le Lude is racing very well right at the minute as evident with her dominant win on the heavy track in the Group 3 Aspiration Quality at Randwick last start where she scored by over four lengths.
When the mares find form they can hold it and this may just be the case here and although she is being asked to carry 2kgs more than the rest of this field, her class will take her a long way in the Epona.
Race 5: Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) 2:40pm
Tip: No Bet
The field for the 2022 Ranvet Stakes is disappointing to say the least and it is almost impossible envisioning the great mare not winning her 12th group 1 race.
Sit back and enjoy a champion of the turf.
Race 6: Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) 3:15pm
Tip: No. 1 Anamoe
The star colt has just one win from his three starts so far this prep but he has been excellent in all three runs.
During his spring campaign he showed a much quicker turn of foot over the shorter distances late in his races but that may have been a change of training tactics from James Cummings to see the horse out over this sort of distance.
There are plenty of question marks over a number of his rivals including whether Converge sees out a strong 2000m and he looks really well placed in this year’s Rosehill Guineas in my opinion.
Race 7: Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) 4:00pm
Tip: No. 9 Forbidden Love
Forbidden Love has put together two impressive wins so far this prep by a combined five lengths and she looks a mare that is thriving right at the minute ahead of the George Ryder Stakes.
Hugh Bowman had a huge hold on the mare when rounding the turn at Royal Randwick last start in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes and when he asked her for an effort, she rocketed away to score by almost two lengths on the line.
She has never won beyond 1400m and she runs into some high class horses in this event but I simply can not tip against her with the way she is racing right now.
Race 8: Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) 4:45pm
Tip: No. 3 Best Of Bordeaux & No. 16 She’s Extreme
The unbeaten Best Of Bordeaux will need to win the world’s richest juvenile race at just his third career start but he has been flawless so far in his debut prep.
The son of Snitzel had to do a fair amount of work in the early part of the race in the Silver Slipper but he found plenty when asked for an effort and he represents great value at the double figure odds.
She’s Extreme made up plenty of ground in the straight when second to Fireburn in the Group 2 Sweet Embrace at Randwick before saluting in the Magic Night at this track and distance last time out.
She is a filly that has plenty of upside and proven she can handle the heavy track and another that represents good each way value in a very open edition of the Golden Slipper Stakes.
Race 9: Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) 5:20pm
Tip: No. 4 In The Congo
The Galaxy is always a fantastic betting race with plenty of winning chances and this year is no different.
I could make a case for half a dozen of these sprinters but In The Congo represents great value at $13.
The three year old colt has proven a consistent performer during his short racing career, finishing in the top two in all but one of his seven starts.
This includes a win in the Group 1 Golden Rose at this track when he beat Anamoe.
I love the way he has trialed leading into this and the Waterhouse and Bott team have placed him really well first up in my opinion.
Race 10: Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes (1200m) 5:55pm
Tip: Boxed Trifecta 1/6/7/8/9