Sixteen of the country’s best two-year-olds will descend on Rosehill Gardens Racecourse on Saturday afternoon following the confirmation of the 2017 Golden Slipper field this morning.
Eight colts & geldings and eight fillies make up the 2017 Golden Slipper field and early favourites She Will Reign, Catchy and Houtzen have all been confirmed as starters.
She Will Reign won the Festive Season Maiden (1000m) on debut by nine lengths on December 10th, before posting an equally impressive win in the Inglis Nursery (1000m) only one week later.
Resuming for a smart and comfortable win in the Group 2 Silver Slipper (1100m) on February 18th, the Manhattan Rain filly failed to handle the heavy going in the Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m) last time out, but still managed to finish second.
Catchy immediately stamped herself as a filly to follow when she debuted for a smart win in a Moonee Valley minor over 1000m on December 9th and she returned on January 7th to win the Peter Siggins Plate (1100m) by close to three lengths.
Having made a successful transition to black type company with a smart win in the Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) on February 11th, the Fastnet Rock filly was charged with overcoming an awkward barrier in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) last time out, but flew home late to win the race by half a length.
Houtzen is another filly who is yet to taste anything but success through her short racing career and is sure to carry plenty of benefit into the Golden Slipper 2017.
Posting consecutive wins in two minor sprinters over 1050m and 1100m upon debuting in December, the I Am Invincible filly was immediately led to the pace in the Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) on January 14th and never appeared in doubt, before recording a half-length win.
Having carried a record 63kg to a four length win in an Eagle Farm sprint over 1000m on March 4th, Houtzen will relish a step back to 54.5kgs and will be partnered by regular hoop Jeff Lloyd.
Pariah was last seen running on for second in the Blue Diamond Stakes and is one of two for Peter & Paul Snowden in the 2017 Golden Slipper field.
Pariah stormed home to win the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes (1100m) with ease on debut in late January and finished second to Property in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude C&G (1100m) on February 11th, in what was his only other start prior to the Blue Diamond Stakes.
Blake Shinn will retain the ride on Pariah when he lines up in the Golden Slipper field, while Hugh Bowman has been booked to partner stable mate Invader.
Invader broke through for a maiden win in the Chris Toogood Handicap (1200m), before running second in the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) a fortnight ago.
Godolphin will also launch a multi-pronged attack in the feature race after trainer John O’Shea confirmed both Veranillo and Trekking in the 2017 Golden Slipper field.
Houtzen is the $3.80 favourite in 2017 Golden Slipper betting at Ladbrokes.com.au, prior to a barrier draw.