An easy Randwick barrier trial win has boosted the confidence of Lindsay Park’s head trainer David Hayes of winning a second Group 1 $3.5m Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
The Lindsay Park team are hoping to claim another Golden Slipper victory with Personal. Photo By: Ultimate Racing Photos
Hayes won the 2006 Golden Slipper with his high class filly Miss Finland and a win by Personal will be celebrated with his Lindsay Park co-trainers Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig.
Personal has been to the races on three occasions for one win at Flemington but her best effort was an eye catching third behind Tagaloa and Hanseactic in the Group 1 $1.5m Neds Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 22.
Personal has come through that run in great order and Hayes was particularly pleased with the way the Fastnet Rock filly won her 1045m Randwick barrier on March 12 with Golden Slipper jockey Craig Williams in the saddle.
“We sent Craig (Williams) to trial her and it was all about her having an experience on her right leg with the plan for her to run about fifth,” Hayes told the Herald Sun.
“She went so well she won the trial without even trying. She sat three wide and won untouched.”
“She’s very fit. Since the Blue Diamond she’s had a good month. Her last gallop was a Group One class gallop.”
“I wouldn’t swap her for any other runner.”
“I’ve always said she reminds me of Miss Finland. When Miss Finland won she finished second in the Blue Diamond Stakes and Personal’s third in the same race was an equivalent run.”
Williams will have to ride for luck after Personal drew barrier nineteen in the original barrier draw but will jump from gate fifteen if all of the emergencies fail to gain a start when the sixteen horse Golden Slipper field is finalised at scratching time on Saturday morning.
Personal is marked at $17 at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Golden Slipper while the Blue Diamond winner Tagaloa heads the market order at $5 with Hanseatic on the third line of betting at $6.50
Sandwiched in between the Blue Diamond Stakes quinella is the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Farnan at $5.50.
