ROSEHILL GARDENS PAVES A PATHWAY AHEAD OF SYDNEY’S GOLDEN AUTUMN

31 January, 2024

Two key pathway races to the Group 1 $5 million Golden Slipper – along with the Group 3 $250,000 TAB Southern Cross Stakes – give punters an early taste of Autumn this Saturday at Rosehill Gardens.

Just seven weeks before the world’s richest race for two-year-olds, Saturday’s Group 3 $250,000 Widden Stakes for the fillies and Group 3 $250,000 Arrowfield Canonbury Stakes for the colts and geldings will earn runners crucial prizemoney on the Golden Slipper Order of Entry.

Shinzo ran third in the 2023 renewal of the Arrowfield Canonbury Stakes before winning the $5 million Golden Slipper while Learning To Fly – who won last year’s Widden Stakes – started second favourite in the iconic Group 1 feature.

In all, five of the six placegetters in last year’s Arrowfield Canonbury and Widden Stakes made the final field for the $5 million Golden Slipper.

Australian Turf Club Head of Racing and Wagering James Ross said Saturday’s two-year-old features marked less than 50 days to the Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens on 23 March.

“The Arrowfield Canonbury Stakes and the Widden Stakes are key races at the start of final pathways to the Golden Slipper,’’ Mr Ross said.

“We are thankful for the long-standing support of both Arrowfield and Widden studs who produce some of the best horses in Australia and contribute significantly to the strength of Sydney racing.

“It is pleasing to see many of Sydney’s biggest and leading stables with runners in both renewals this Saturday heading to Sydney and Australian racing’s iconic two-year-old event.’’

Snitzel colt Prost for record Golden Slipper winning trainer Gai Waterhouse and co-trainer Adrian Bott opens a $2.50 TAB Fixed Odds favourite in the Group 3 $250,000 Arrowfield Canonbury Stakes, to be ridden by Tim Clark from barrier 1.

Powerhouse Godolphin stable trainer James Cummings saddles up Traffic Warden ($3.40 TAB) with Nash Rawiller aboard ahead of the Peter and Paul Snowden trained Fearless at $3.90 TAB for jockey Chad Schofield.

In the Group 3 $250,000 Widden Stakes, Waterhouse and Bott and jockey Clark combine on the $2.10 TAB favourite in Lady Of Camelot.

The stable also has joint second favourite Alinea (Regan Bayliss) at $5 TAB with the James Cummings and James McDonald team with Celerity also at $5 TAB.

The Group 3 $250,000 TAB Southern Cross Stakes market is headed by Ananbel Neasham’s in-form Lady Laguna at $2.50, and another ride for James McDonald.

Full fields for Saturday’s 10-race card at Rosehill Gardens are available here and full TAB Fixed Odds markets for all races here.

For all racing, general and ticketing information including for the upcoming Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival go to theraces.com.au.