It’s still the biggest and best day of the Autumn Racing Carnival, and it’s finally here!
All eyes will be firmly locked on Rosehill Gardens for 2025 Golden Slipper Day, where no fewer than five Group 1 feature races will be run and won.
Amongst my Rosehill best bets are one at double-figure odds in Golden Slipper betting and a further nine selections throughout the program.
Read on for my complete Golden Slipper Day tips!
Race 1 - 12:30pm AEDT
Midway Handicap (1500m)
Rush Attack looms as a key winning chance again in this week’s Midway Handicap.
The Brave Smash gelding hasn’t finished worse than second at three runs back from a break, winning a race not dissimilar to this one two starts back before only just missing at his latest.
He’s hard fit and with even luck in running, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
2 Units Rush Attack
Race 2 - 1:05pm AEDT
Group 3 Epona Stakes (1900m)
The Epona Stakes is a perfect black type feature for Mare Of Mt Buller.
She stamped herself as one to follow throughout a smart three-year-old campaign, and Mare Of Mt Buller returned to action this time to fill the minors behind an impressive Point And Shoot.
After finishing only half a length behind the winner in the Aspiration Quality a fortnight ago, she’s ready for the 1900m, and she’s drawn to receive a lovely run under Zac Lloyd.
3 Units Mare Of Mt Buller
Race 3 - 1:40pm AEDT
Group 3 NE Manion Cup (2400m)
Alalcance was excellent fresh from a break and can continue her form through the NE Manion Cup.
Alalcance was a consistent performer during her Australian debut preparation last year, winning in BM72 company before a couple of near misses in races like the Christmas Cup.
She ran into some quality types in the Randwick City Stakes but posted a tough half-length victory, and she should only improve with the benefit of that hit-out.
2 Units Alalcance
Race 4 - 2:15pm AEDT
Listed Darby Munro Stakes (1200m)
Autumn Glow has opened a short but justifiable favourite in Darby Munro betting.
Autumn Glow hasn’t been seen at the races since September, but she was unbeaten during three autumn starts, peaking with consecutive victories in the Up And Coming Stakes and the Tea Rose Stakes.
She’s been trialling very well, James McDonald is booked and she’ll take plenty of beating.
5 Units Autumn Glow
Race 5 - 2:50pm AEDT
Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m)
Another short-priced favourite that will take beating on Golden Slipper Day is Via Sistina.
We know how good she is, she’s a multiple Group 1 winner and returned to winning form in the Verry Elleegant Stakes last time out. Fitter third-up and out to 2000m this week, she can justify the $1.40 in 2025 Ranvet Stakes betting about her at publish.
That quote is too short for me straight out, so I am instead going to select Via Sistina as a winner in a Same Race Multi and pump up my odds with international raider Al Mubhir running into the first three.
Al Mubhir has turned in some fine performances through 23 career starts, picking off some lovely races and finding form around some of Europe’s best middle-distance horses.
Same Race Multi selections:
- No. 6 Via Sistina (Win)
- No. 4 Al Mubhir (Top 3)
Race 6 - 3:25pm AEDT
Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m)
Goldrush Guru was absolutely motoring late in the Australian Guineas third up from a spell and he’ll relish getting out to the 2000m of the Rosehill Guineas.
Goldrush Guru enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence in the spring, winning the Hill Smith Stakes down in Adelaide before producing a huge turn of foot to win the Victoria Derby impressively.
He does run into some excellent horses this week, but we know he’s up to the class, Jamie Melham is in Sydney to take the ride and with even luck in running, I’m confident he can win again.
2 Units Goldrush Guru
Race 7 - 4pm AEDT
Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m)
This is an excellent edition of the George Ryder, it’s probably the strongest race on the program in my opinion, but Tom Kitten steps out in peak order and is the one for me again.
I’ve always had plenty of time for this horse, but he really does look to have returned in career-best form this year.
He was unlucky not to nail Mr Brightside late in the Futurity and he was too good for them in an All-Star Mile last time out.
Fitter third-up and with even luck in running, I really can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
2 Units E/W Tom Kitten
Race 8 - 4:35pm AEDT
Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m)
The Golden Slipper is always an open affair, but I really could make a case for a lot of them this year, including Marhoona at double figure odds.
Marhoona broke her maiden on debut at Canterbury and boy she was eye-catching in the Reisling Stakes last time out, she probably couldn’t have done much more without winning.
She’s got plenty of upside, she’s drawn a peach and gets the services of D. Lane. She gets plenty of ticks, and the $11 about at publish looks great value in my opinion.
2 Units E/W Marhoona
Race 9 - 5:15pm AEDT
Group The Galaxy (1100m)
I think that finally, Growing Empire gets a perfect opportunity to win his elusive Group 1 crown in The Galaxy.
He didn’t look to be at his best in two runs down the Flemington straight, but there’s no doubt he’s stripped fitter, getting back to the Sydney way of going suits and obviously James McDonald is a big bonus as well.
With even luck in running, he might not be offered a better opportunity at the highest level than this.
2 Units E/W Growing Empire
Race 10 - 5:55pm AEDT
Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes (1200m)
Commemorative is third-up into the Birthday Card Stakes and looms as the one to beat again.
The daughter of I Am Invincible rarely runs a bad race, and after filling the minors in the Triscay Stakes when resuming, she was far too good for a similar field in the Wenona Girl Quality last time out.
She does rise noticeably in the weights this week, but she has options in running from the rails draw.
2 Units Commemorative