News

Revealed - the Golden Slipper mudlark

2nd Apr 2009

Racenet - Brad Waters - Thursday, 2 April 2009

A special Racenet pedigree analysis of the Golden Slipper field has revealed a potential mudlark bred to win the world’s richest two-year-old race.

As rain has turned the Golden Slipper into a guessing game, we think we have solved the mystery over the wet track credentials of the 16 youngsters lining up on Saturday.

If ever a horse is bred to handle a wet track at racing’s elite level, it is the Gai Waterhouse-trained Manhattan Rain.

Manhattan Rain is a half-brother to the former outstanding galloper and now champion sire Redoute’s Choice (pictured). He is also a son of Encosta de Lago and his pedigree points to him being right at home on a wet Rosehill track.

The dam of Manhattan Rain is Shantha’s Choice, a daughter of Canny Lad who raced just twice in her career, once for a resounding win on a heavy track at Seymour.

Shantha’s Choice then went to the breeding barn with instant success, throwing the superstar son of Danehill, Redoute’s Choice, with her first foal.

Redoute’s Choice won four Group I races in his 10-start career, including an easy Manikato Stakes win on a slow track.

His full brother Platinum Scissors also was successful at Group level on a rain-affected track, winning the Hollindale Stakes on the Gold Coast on a slow surface in 2005. Little half-sister Sliding Cube also tasted stakes success in the wet.

YOUR WET TRACK GUIDE TO THE GOLDEN SLIPPER

REAL SAGA – Dam won on a dead track. Half-brother Another Warrior struggled on wet tracks in three attempts. Sire has a 12 percent strike-rate with wet runners. In reality, he’s an unknown quantity.

REWARD FOR EFFORT – Half-brother Consular was never far away without winning in the wet. When the dam is mated with a son of Danehill, the wet track statistics improve.

MANHATTAN RAIN – Half to Redoute’s Choice. Family full of wet track stakes winners. Dam by Canny Lad won on heavy. On wet-track pedigree he’s on top.

DELAGO BOLT – Dam only won on dead tracks but sire never raced in rain-affected ground. Missed a place at only start on dead.

WANTED – Already placed in slow going. Dam won on slow. Sire Fastnet Rock won a Lightning Stakes on a slow track and has sired a slow track winner.

PHELAN READY – More Than Ready is the sire of Sebring, last year’s Golden Slipper winner on a bog track. His dam only won on good tracks as did his grand-dam.

ZIKMANN – Dam was a slow track winner. Sired by Fastnet Rock and three of his half-siblings were placed on heavy.

MORE JOYOUS – By More Than Ready, the sire of Sebring. Dam ran down the course at only go on a slow surface but is closely related to wet track stakes winners Joie and the might mare Tuesday Joy. Track won’t be an excuse.

ROSTOVA – Dam’s best run in an average career was in heavy going. Her sire Testa Rossa went okay on wet tracks and his progeny handle it.

MELITO – By Redoute’s Choice and his progeny generally handle wet tracks. Dam had one go on slow when unplaced in final career run.

INDIAN OCEAN – Has already won on slow surface. Sire’s strike-rate drops to 10 percent on heavy tracks.

HEADWAY – Dam was a non-winner but went better on wet tracks. Has placed on slow behind a subsequent stakes winner. Her sire Charge Forward won the Galaxy on a slow track. His progeny are 2/3 on heavy tracks this season.

OUR JOAN OF ARC – Her dam was placed on slow on debut. Worst career run was on a slow track.

HORIZONS – Her career-best run was on a slow track. Sire stock don’t mind the wet and her pedigree is littered with heavy track winners.

MARQUARDT – By Shamardal, a two-time Group I winner on wet tracks. That’s all we have to go on. Has had feet issues recently and the soft track might help.

SO ANYWAY – Placed on heavy then but improved on a better surface next time out.

SUNDAY ROSE – Not entirely hopeless on wet track breeding.

STRYKER – Placed on slow and by Fastnet Rock. Has a shot at a place if she runs.

The top four on wet track breeding – MANHATTAN RAIN (3), More Joyous (8),. Headway (12), Horizons (14).