Single Bullet earns spot in Slipper after tough Pago Pago battle
SINGLE Bullet secured a Golden Slipper birth after winning the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill in an exciting two-horse war with Ducimus.
The star two-year-olds sat one-two in the running before looking each other in the eye at the top of the straight. It was hard to tell which runner would get the upper hand, but it was Single Bullet which kicked strongest to earn a spot in the 2017 Golden Slipper for trainer Gary Portelli.
“It’s unbelievable isn’t it. A dream come true for this bunch of owners,” Portelli said.
“You know we bought him aiming at the Magic Millions. We actually syndicated him as a ladies syndication to start with hoping we may be able to slip into the Magic Millions.
“Things didn’t quite go the way we were hoping. In the back of my mind I thought we might be better off in the Slipper. I’m not saying we can win it but we are in it. That is half the battle.”
Portelli has a strong contingent of juveniles which includes current Slipper favourite She Will Reign, which Portelli is giving the edge to.
“I think she is pretty superior. But I tell you he is honest,” Portelli said.
“If things go wrong in the Slipper as they can do I’ve got Plan B.”
Punters didn’t give up hope with Single Bullet after being beaten in its first three runs, but it paid off on the big stage at Rosehill.
“I believe things happen for a reason. When he missed the start at his first go at Wyong, a barrier attendant was holding him by the bridle. He was being silly and missed the start,” Portelli said.
“Tye said to me that day, the barrier attendant might have cost you the Magic Millions but he might win you the Golden Slipper. Here he is riding the horse today. Things happen for a reason.”
Winning jockey Tye Angland was confident about his book of rides heading into Coolmore Classic Day and he was pleased with the effort from Single Bullet after sitting on the speed.
“The plan was to ride him with a bit of cover and save him for late, but when the speed come out of the race at the gates, I just made sure he jumped well to give myself options,” Angland said.
“Ended up sitting outside the leader, he was too strong, nice win.”
Ducimus was the heavily-supported $1.90 favourite after opening around $3 earlier in the week and it has earned enough prizemoney to also secure a spot in the world’s richest two-year-old race at Rosehill.
“Horse ran really well, just first time this way and a little bit of inexperience cost him. He’s got huge potential and is definitely one to follow,” Blake Shinn said about Ducimus.
There was plenty of drama pre-race as second favourite Condors Heroes grabbed the bit and took off around the track with Tim Clark unable to pull it up. Under the recommendation of Clark, stewards agreed that it had done too much work and would not run.
Albumin was also withdrawn after becoming fractious in the barriers.