September 17, 2016
Sydney Racing will witness potential 2017 Longines Golden Slipper contenders at Royal Randwick at the season’s first set of official two-year-old trials on Monday, 19 September.
Twelve heats will be conducted on the course proper over 840m, starting from 9.30am.
With the previous two renditions featuring the winners of the world’s richest two-year-old race, Capitalist (2016) and Vancouver (2015), these trials are proven form indicators. Runners participating in the 2015 trials also produced Black Type winners in Defcon, Prized Icon, Star Turn, Detective and Tessera.
Among the entrants this year is $1.6 million Magic Millions graduate, Chauffeur, trained by Gerald Ryan. The colt by Snitzel out of Mirror Mirror is already a first acceptor for the Golden Slipper.
Similarly, half-brother Showtime (Snitzel – Flindais) for Hawkes Racing is another Magic Millions participant who will face the starter. The chestnut colt was sold for $1.1 million at the January sales and is a nominee for the March feature.
Well-bred Zatar who came through the Inglis Easter Yearling Sales in April will be another to watch. The $925,000 More Than Ready progeny is being prepared by Peter and Paul Snowden with sight set on claiming consecutive Slipper wins for the stable.
In conjunction with the trial’s sponsors, Newgate Farm will be offering two free nominations to first season sire Super One; one for the dam of the colt that wins the trial in the fastest time of the morning and one for the dam of the filly that runs the fastest trial time of the morning.
“The first set of 2 year old trials are keenly anticipated by followers of both racing and breeding and are an important form reference for the early two year old races such as the Newgate Breeders Plate and the Keeneland Gimcrack Stakes”, said James Ross, General Manager Racing, Wagering and International.
“It is also fantastic to see Newgate Farm partner with us this year and we encourage everyone to come along and see some future stars.”
The trials will be open to the public, who along with owners and all connections, will be welcome to a complimentary breakfast from 7am in the Triple Crown Bar hosted by Australian Turf Club Gold Partner, Inglis.