The 2016 Golden Slipper has a whole new complexion after Kiss And Make Up upstaged Capitalist to record an upset victory in the Todman Stakes at Royal Randwick this afternoon.
Kiss And Make Up led from start to finish to take out the 2016 Todman Stakes at Royal Randwick this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart
Kiss And Make Up jumped quickly and jockey Kerrin McEvoy took the talented colt to the lead and jockey Blake Shinn elected to settle Capitalist just behind the leader.
Blake Shinn asked Capitalist for an extra effort at the 300 metre mark, but he was unable to respond and Kiss And Make Up kicked away to make it two wins from as many race starts.
Kiss A Make Up is the first horse that Gai Waterhouse has trained for John Singleton since their high profile falling out over More Joyous during the 2013 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival and Waterhouse confirmed that the son of More Than Ready would press on to the 2016 Golden Slipper in a fortnight.
“We love throwing the cat among the pigeons and what a cat,” Waterhouse said.
“He is a cool dude and it is very exciting.
“I am absolutely thrilled for the group, he is a beautiful colt and he did it so easily.
“On to the Slipper.”
McEvoy rode Kiss And Make Up when he made his racing debut with a win in the Tab.Com.Au Maiden Plate (1200m) at Canterbury and he said that the juvenile had improved significantly since his debut win.
The talented hoop believes that the defeat of Capitalist has opened the Golden Slipper right up and he is confident that Kiss And Make Up still has some improved in him ahead of the Group 1 event.
“It is evident to see that he has come along in leaps and bounds,” McEvoy said.
“He is very tradesman like, he does his work and he knows what he is doing.
“Today he was a bit more switched on going towards the barriers and he gave me a nice ride throughout.
“He was quickening up the rise, so it was a good effort.
“It opens it up a little bit now, we were conceding Capitalist as a very hard nut to crack, but a week is a long time in the two-year-old season.
“This horse is a genuine little trier and he might improve that little bit more going into the Slipper.
“It is going to be exciting to be on him.”
Shinn remains confident about the Golden Slipper chances of Capitalist and he said after the race that he believes the son of Written Tycoon will be able to turn-the-tables on Kiss And Make Up in a fortnight.
