September 16, 2015
Early clues to the world’s richest race for two year olds – the iconic $3.5 million Longines Golden Slipper – will be on show at Royal Randwick this Monday at the running of the first set of official trials for this season’s “babies”.
Twelve heats in equal divisions for the two year olds – six for the fillies as well as six heats for the colts and geldings – will be held on the Royal Randwick course proper over 840m, starting from 9.30am, with the final heat due to start at 12.15pm.
The trials will be open to the public, with free parking available in the Main Drive from Alison Rd, and the taxi way entry from Ascot Lane.
All of the trials will also be shown live on Sky Thoroughbred Central.
The morning session allows the unraced horses to get their first full taste of a race day experience, including use of the day stalls and the Theatre Of The Horse, before each trial.
This year’s Golden Slipper winner Vancouver – now valued at $40 million as a stallion prospect – along with eventual third placegetter Lake Geneva, were among the trial winners at the same official session last year.
Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Officer Darren Pearce said Monday was a highlight of the Sydney racing calendar as owners and trainers – along with the general public – had their first look at the next potential superstar of the track.
“It is always an exciting time of the year when we get to see the early season two year olds go through their paces, and last year in the very first heat we saw Vancouver win his trial,” Mr Pearce said.
“Monday is an important first step for the young horses as their owners and trainers start to live the dream of qualifying a runner in the $3.5 million Longines Golden Slipper.’’
The Australian Turf Club’s early feature two year old races take on even greater importance this year due to a prizemoney increase for several races, giving connections further incentive to boost their all-important total prizemoney to make the field for the $3.5 million Longines Golden Slipper.
The Listed Breeders’ Plate and Gimcrack Stakes – both run at Royal Randwick on Saturday 3 October – have increased by $50,000 to each be worth $150,000.
The Pierro Plate at Royal Randwick on 24 October and the Golden Gift at Rosehill Gardens on 21 November are now both also worth $150,000.
These races have been part of an extra $2.08 million in prizemoney added by the Australian Turf Club to feature races over the Sydney Spring Carnival and early summer.
The full set of fields for Monday’s trials are available at:
http://racing.racingnsw.com.au/FreeFields/Acceptances.aspx?Key=2015Sep21,NSW,Royal%20Randwick,Trial
Photo: Bradley Photos