Ray Thomas column: Henry Field has strong hand in Golden Slipper with classy trio

Newgate Farm supremo Henry Field’s astute decision to buy into the ownership of crack colts Profiteer, Stay Inside and Artorius is proving a masterstroke as he now has the three favourites for the $3.5 million Golden Slipper next week.

Profiteer and Stay Inside retained their rankings the top of Golden Slipper betting despite losing their unbeaten records in the best two-year-old form race of the season, last Saturday’s Todman Stakes.

Godolphin’s Anamoe came off his third placing in the Blue Diamond behind Artorius to win the Todman, finishing powerfully to beat Profiteer with Stay Inside having a luckless run before closing late to finish fourth.

But the Todman result didn’t alter Golden Slipper betting with Profiteer the $5 favourite ahead of Stay Inside at $6 then Blue Diamond winner Artorius on the third line at $8.

Field is the man with the midas touch and has a second Golden Slipper in his sights.

He was a part-owner of Capitalist who was also beaten in the Todman Stakes before bouncing back to win the 2016 Golden Slipper.

“I left the course a lot happier last Saturday than I did the day Capitalist was beaten in the Todman,’’ Field said.

“Profiteer and Stay Inside were both beaten but mathematically, I feel their chances of winning the Golden Slipper are as good as they were on Saturday morning,

“I’m sure there is improvement in both horses, the plan has always been to have them peak on Grand Final Day (Golden Slipper, March 20).

“The Freedmans (trainers of Stay Inside) and Mick Price (trainer of Profiteer) know the scorecard.’’

Henry Field (centre) has a stake in the three Golden Slipper favourites – Profiteer, Stay Inside and Artorius. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Field said Profiteer’s effort to be narrowly beaten after over-racing early proved he is a deserving Golden Slipper favourite.

“If we assume that was the best two-year-old race so far this season and Profiteer is beaten in a photo, his run was extraordinary,’’ Field said.

“Stay Inside couldn’t get a clear run at them but I liked the way he was strongly through the line.

“The form has been franked with the performance of Anamoe so it is all taking shape. I’m just hoping they all get to the Golden Slipper in one piece as they should run well.’’

DIAMOND WINNER ON TRIAL FOR SLIPPER

Artorius, trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, will barrier trial at Randwick on Thursday before the $150,000 late entry fee is paid to secure a Golden Slipper start.

The crack Melbourne colt is staying at the Randwick stables of trainer Michael and Richard Freedman who have Stay Inside, Reisling Stakes winner Glistening and Tiger Of Malay aimed at the Golden Slipper.

“Anthony and Sam are having a good run at present but hopefully not too well in the Golden Slipper – family is family but business is business,’’ Michael Freedman said.

“Artorius is staying at my stables and I did say to Anthony if they get a good result in the Slipper then surely there is something there for me!”

Tiger Of Malay gets his chances to qualify for the Golden Slipper when he runs in the Group 3 $175,000 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

“I’ve been working Tiger Of Malay in blinkers and we will probably put them on for the Pago Pago,’’ Michael Freedman said.

The Pago Pago Stakes is shaping as a strong race with the likes of Shaquero, Head Of State, Hilal and Captivant all likely starters.

Michael and Richard Freedman also have top filly Forbidden Love primed to take on the older mares in the Group 1 $600,000 Coolmore Classic (1500m) on Saturday.

Forbidden Love, a last start winner of the Group 1 Surround Stakes, is expected to get around 54.5kg in the Coolmore with champion jockey Nash Rawiller wasting hard to retain the ride.

Blue Diamond winner Artorius will trial before connections consider paying the late entry fee for the Golden Slipper. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

MERIT IN NATURE STRIPS’ NARROW LOSS

The Eduardo-Nature Strip speed stoush was one of the great sprint clashes in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes.

Eduardo, trained by Joe Pride, was a deserved winner, fighting back gamely under pressure to edge out Nature Strip and stop the clock at an incredible 55.20s, smashing the Randwick 1000m course record by 0.53s.

Chris Waller’s Nature Strip was beaten as an odds-on favourite for the fifth time in his career but criticism of the enigmatic sprinter is misplaced.

But the facts are Nature Strip has broke the old track record recording 55.21s including an early 200m sectional split of 9.83 when he was trying to get across from his outside barrier.

Nature Strip’s top speed was timed at a staggering 71.7kmh – racehorses just don’t run any faster – and he covered 3.4m more than Eduardo during the race which proved the difference between winning and losing.

OMG ?

Eduardo by a nose to Nature Strip! pic.twitter.com/n5UThScS0z

LEES DOMINATES NEWCASTLE FEATURES

Kris Lees completed the rare Newcastle feature race double when Gem Song won the Newmarket at Broadmeadow on Friday.

In a thrilling finish, Gem Song edged out Bottega to give Lees his third successive Newmarket after winning the feature sprint with Special Reward (2020) and Princess Posh (2019).

Gem Song has 52kg in the Doncaster Mile is eligible for a weight penalty after his Newmarket win.

Earlier in the season, Lees finally won his first Newcastle Gold Cup with Mugatoo.

The last trainer to win both Newcastle races in the same season was Gai Waterhouse with Agincourt Express (Cup) and Hey Pronto (Newmarket) in 2001-02.

RANDWICK SNAPSHOT: WITH RON DUFFICY

RUN OF THE DAY
The master of the tried horse Joe Pride produced the very brave and courageous 7YO Eduardo in magnificent order first-up. After doing early work he did an amazing job fighting back and smashing the Randwick track 1000m record held by Redzel in great style. It was a herculean performance.

FORGET THEY RAN
It was a horror watch for supporters of the up and coming Mo’unga in the G1 Randwick Guineas. After being held up for what seemed an eternity he had the hide to charge to the line looking desperately unlucky. His turn will surely come.

THE BLACK BOOK
This was a high quality meeting with so many to follow but Trifaccia although still work in progress could well be a star filly in the making. Others I’m keeping close watch on include Mount Popa, Collide, Masked Crusader and Harmony Rose.

RIDE OF THE DAY
I admit I may be enamoured with Anamoe but the clinical ride by jockey Rachel King certainly helped him get the desired result in the Todman. He was given the lovely soft run which will really help him bounce back beautifully in 2 weeks.

NSW RACING – THE WEEK AHEAD

Monday: Coffs Harbour

Tuesday: Wyong, Wagga Wagga

Wednesday: Kensington

Thursday: Goulburn, Moree

Friday: Kembla Grange, Taree

Saturday: Rosehill Gardens, Gosford, Ballina, Gunnedah

Sunday: Coonamble, Grafton

Originally published asBreeder having a Field day with Slipper favourites

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