SYDNEY’S ICONIC $5 MILLION TAB GOLDEN SLIPPER SHINES ON ROSEHILL GARDENS

20 March, 2024

Australia’s biggest day of Group 1 racing featuring the iconic Group 1 $5 million TAB Golden Slipper turns the eyes of the world to Sydney’s Rosehill Gardens on Saturday for a spectacular day of racing and entertainment.

Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club host the 68^th running of the Group 1 $5 million TAB Golden Slipper – one of five Group 1 races on the day – the only time this occurs all year in Australian racing.

This year’s 16-horse field for the $5 million TAB Golden Slipper is being rated amongst the strongest in the race’s rich history, headlined by two crack unbeaten colts in Storm Boy and Switzerland.

Saturday’s 10-race card has attracted a huge 160 acceptances and includes;

• 19 runners in the Group 1 $1 million The Agency George Ryder Stakes;
• A capacity 14 runners in the Group 1 $1 million Kia Ora Galaxy;
• Two international imports in the Group 1 $1 million Ranvet Stakes; and
• Australia’s very best three-year-old middle distance horses in the Group 1 $750,000 Sky Racing Rosehill Guineas.

All tickets purchased to Saturday’s raceday include public transport across buses, trains ferries and light rail along with an on-course concert by Hot Dub Time Machine after the final race.

Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Matt Galanos said Rosehill Gardens’ TAB Golden Slipper Day was a signature event on the Sydney sporting and entertainment calendar.

“The TAB Golden Slipper stands alone in world racing and this year’s race shapes as the strongest in decades,’’ Mr Galanos said.

“Five Group 1 races, a tremendous support card and a vibrant on-course atmosphere combine for one of the most exciting TAB Golden Slipper racedays that Sydney has seen.’’

Storm Boy – one of at least six runners for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott – is a $2.10 TAB favourite for Saturday’s Group 1 $5 million TAB Golden Slipper with internationally acclaimed jockey Ryan Moore to ride.

Legendary trainer Waterhouse is trying to increase her record number of TAB Golden Slipper winners to eight (including a second victory with co-trainer Bott) while Ryan Moore aims for back-to-back TAB Golden Slippers.

Sydney’s 13-time Sydney Training Premiership champion Chris Waller is himself aiming for a second consecutive win in the world’s richest race for two-year-olds, saddling up Coolmore colt Switzerland ($4.60 TAB) for jockey James McDonald.

These two horses are the only under double figure betting odds ahead of another Waterhouse/Bott runner Straight Charge at $11 TAB for jockey Tim Clark.

Full fields for all ten races at Rosehill Gardens are available here and full TAB markets for all races here.

Along with the world’s richest race for two-year-olds, Saturday offers a host of other headlines including;

• TAB Everest champion Think About It ($3.60 TAB) heading a stellar field in the Group 1 $1 million The Agency George Ryder for trainer Joe Pride and jockey Sam Clipperton.
• Multiple Australian Group 1 winner Think It Over ($2.80 TAB) for trainer Kerry Parker and jockey Nash Rawiller taking on Group 1 international winners Via Sistina ($3.60TAB Waller/McDonald) and Place Du Carrousel ($8.50 Anthony & Sam Freedman/Tommy Berry) in the $1 million Ranvet Stakes
• Top sprinter Private Eye (Joe Pride/Nash Rawiller) heading the handicap weights with 58kg in the Group 1 $1 million Kia Ora Galaxy with the Bjorn Baker and Rachel King pairing with Ozzmosis early favourite at $4.40 TAB.
• Leading international trainer William Haggas lining up Post Impressionist in the Group 3 Precise Air N E Manion Cup as the UK trainer looks to continue his strong record at the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival
• Australia’s best middle distance three-year-olds in the second leg of the Triple Crown in the Group 1 $750,000 Sky Racing Rosehill Guineas with the Chris Waller pair Militarize ($3 TAB James McDonald) and Riff Rocket ($5.50 TAB Nash Rawiller) taking on the James Cummings Godolphin star Tom Kitten ($3.60 TAB Hugh Bowman).

For all racing, ticketing and general information go to theraces.com.au.