Golden Slipper field headlined by Storm Boy & Switzerland

March 19, 2024 2:30 pm.

Storm Boy will go into the Group 1 Golden Slipper as the favourite at Rosehill on Saturday. Photo: Racing NSW

One of the most anticipated editions of the Group 1 Golden Slipper will headline the 10-race meeting at Rosehill this Saturday afternoon, with a full field of 16 expected to take their place in the 1200m contest.

The near $5 million two-year-old feature is headlined by the Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner and undefeated colt from the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott stable, Storm Boy, who has opened as the clear favourite at +110 with top online racing betting sites.

The son of Justify has never looked in trouble or gone close to losing in his four starts, with his Magic Millions triumph being the most impressive win of his short career.

Adding to the excitement has been the drama around which jockey will ride which Coolmore-owned horse, as the ownership group will have both Storm Boy and Switzerland in the race.

Coolmore’s number one jockey, Ryan Moore, has been booked on the favourite, while James McDonald, who has ridden both horses at their last two starts, will be legged aboard second favourite Switzerland (+350).

The Chris Waller-trained colt has beaten jumped every hurdle that he has been faced with and he will join the favourite as the only unbeaten runners in the Slipper.

Last start, the son of Snitzel came from behind the leading contenders to win in stylish fashion in the Group 2 Todman Stakes, with McDonald saying post-race that there is very little splitting the top two.

Unlike most Golden Slipper fields, this year’s edition appears to be a race between two; however, there is still plenty of quality outside the market leaders.

Blue Diamond Stakes winner Hayasugi (+1600) and runner-up Lady Of Camelot (+1000) have to be considered big chances after taking care of the two-year-old ranks in Victoria three weeks ago.

Straight Charge (+1000) and Fully Lit (+2000) must been given strong chances, but they have been beaten by the leading contenders throughout their Golden Slipper preparations, which could be detrimental to their confidence.

First emergency Espionage (+1400) is considered a genuine winning hope, but needs a scratching within the starting 16 to gain a start.

The Golden Slipper is scheduled to jump at 4:40pm AEDT and will be race eight on the Rosehill program.