G'DAY, MATES!
HAPPY GOLDEN SLIPPER WEEK!
PENT UP EXCITEMENT IN AUSTRALIA IS IN FULL BORE ONE DAY PRIOR TO GOLDEN SLIPPER
Her is an article by an Australian horse racing writer on March 20, 2025:
Huge stakes for Waller's $1.6m colt in Golden Slipper
The Golden Slipper's famous multiplier effect means Wodeton's worth will rocket to more than $50m if he can win the big race at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
In a field loaded with the best-bred two-year-olds in training, Wodeton was the most expensive yearling purchase when knocked down to Coolmore for $1.6m at the Magic Millions Gold Coast sale last year.
Wodeton is by sire sensation Wootton Bassett and on his dam's side is a direct descendant of Hong Kong's champion sprinter Silent Witness.
The Chris Waller-trained Wodeton has the confirmation to match his pedigree so if he can turn all this into racetrack performance and win the $5m Golden Slipper, then the colt becomes the most valuable thoroughbred in training.
The Golden Slipper is recognised as the Australian racing and breeding industry's most influential race and for a Slipper-winning colt it also comes with the guarantee of a hefty price tag and commercial stallion career.
Waller spoke of the Golden Slipper's multiplier effect after watching Wodeton gallop wide out on the course proper at Rosehill Gardens on Thursday morning.
What makes a champion?
This is a man who knows
"It (Golden Slipper) probably puts $200m into the bloodstock economy,'' Waller said.
"So, you're talking the winner if it's a colt (between) $30 to $60m.
"His brothers and sisters are also worth a lot more money, his mother is worth a lot more money and (so are) her relations.
"How do you quantify a Golden Slipper?
Well, it probably puts a billion dollars into the horse economy over the space of three months leading into the race.
"It's talked about for such a long period of time, the pattern changes every week with every lead up race, it's an iconic race in Australia and it's part of the history of our breeding industry.''
Waller, who is chasing a second Golden Slipper win after the Coolmore-owned Shinzo's success two years ago, said Wodeton is primed for Saturday's big race.
"The preparation is exactly what we set out to do, three runs before the Golden Slipper,'' Waller said.
"Ideally he would have won his last start, it wasn't quite the case, but the reason for the three runs is to learn as much as you can and prepare the horse for the grand final which is the TAB Golden Slipper.
"I'm happy with the prep, confidence levels are therefore high from a preparation perspective. We know how good he is, we've just got to get him to do it in the grand final.''
Waller believes the addition of winkers will help to keep Wodeton "focused" and could be the gear change that delivers the Golden Slipper.
"Obviously, it's a sprint race but we still feel he has more to offer by being held up and ensuring he has that lethal finish over the last 200 or 300m,'' Waller said.
"On the training tracks he's very sharp, exciting, we just need to replicate that on race day and the grand final is when it needs to happen.''
It was noticeable Wodeton didn't work with the winkers on during his course-proper track gallop on Thursday morning but that was a deliberate ploy by the trainer.
"We purposely left them off this morning, we want to put them on race day so he can have the full effect of them,'' Waller said.
"We didn't want to light him right up today, two days out from the grand final. If we had put them on we would have seen fireworks.''
Wodeton has retained Golden Slipper favouritism at $4.80 after drawing perfectly in barrier two.
His main rival, according to the price assessors, is the Godolphin filly Tempted at $5 after drawing inside Waller's colt.
"The only concern of barrier two is getting out – if you've got enough speed you'll get out,'' Waller said.
"I think he's got enough speed. Barrier two means you conserve energy, barrier two means you're in your comfort zone.
"From wider barriers, you have to do a lot of work and cover extra ground so there's certainly a lot of positives about barrier two.'
Waller delves into bag of tricks for Wodeton
A brace of defeats hasn't been enough to depose Wodeton from the top of Golden Slipper odds but it has prompted Chris Waller to make a couple of important tweaks.
Not only will the colt sport winkers for the first time at Rosehill on Saturday, he will also be ridden more conservatively than he was when runner-up in the Todman Stakes last start.
Waller felt Wodeton didn't let down as expected after trailing the speed in the Todman and believed a quieter ride could help him conserve his energy for the finish.
"When it was time to ask him to quicken, it wasn't quite there," Waller said.
"I think now he's had the three races under his belt, we have learned that he can be ridden that touch more conservative, put the handbrake on, and then he'll finish off.
"We have done that in a couple of his track workouts and they have been very good."
The gear change has been implemented to complement the softer tactics, Waller opting for winkers rather than blinkers to ensure the youngster doesn't overdo things early.
"It's just to help him concentrate, probably more the second half of the race, not the first half," he said.
"We want him to switch off and relax, hence the winkers will help that and then make him focus the last 400."
Bjorn Baker is sticking to a tried and tested routine with filly Within The Law, the winner of three of her four starts including the Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) when she got back from a wide draw and swept home.
She again has an awkward gate in 13 but Baker says her relaxed demeanour means jockey Jason Collett will be able to switch her off.
"I had O'Ole in the Magic Millions this year and from day dot she was electric. Within The Law is the complete opposite, she is so casual," Baker said.
"She is very relaxed every day at trackwork, she only does what she is asked for and I think that is a good trait coming into a high-pressure race like the Slipper."
If there is a knockout, Peter Snowden is hoping it might be Quietly Arrogant after his luckless third in the Skyline Stakes (1200m) behind unbeaten colt Rivellino and subsequent Pago Pago Stakes winner Skyhook.
A son of Snowden's 2016 Golden Slipper winner Capitalist, Quietly Arrogant arrives at Saturday off a three-week break between runs and has been working sharply at home.
"He does really appreciate a bit of time between runs," Snowden said.
"He won first-up at the Gold Coast then he had a bit of a layoff after the Magic Millions for about 45 days and he ran a blinder first-up off that.
"He has got a terrific turn of foot and that will take him a long way in what looks a very even field."
Out of respect for jockey Frankie Dettori I won't blare this store in a headline-attention grabber but to put this storey hidden underneath other stories.
Champion jockey Frankie Dettori files for bankruptcy
Frankie Dettori expressed that he is "saddened and embarrassed" after revealing his decision to file for bankruptcy.
The renowned jockey, a three-time champion in Britain, has since moved to the United States, putting aside his earlier plans to retire.
In a statement, Dettori said: "Over the past six months, my advisors have been working closely with HMRC to resolve my financial situation.
"Unfortunately, I will now be filing for bankruptcy.
"I am saddened and embarrassed by this outcome and would urge others to maintain tighter control over their financial affairs.
"Bankruptcy is a significant step, and its impact will stay with me for many years.
"However, I am relieved to finally close this long-standing chapter, allowing me to reset and concentrate on my international riding career."
The jockey previously lost a bid to remain anonymous in proceedings at a specialized tax tribunal in December, which led to his name being disclosed after he participated in a "tax avoidance scheme."
At the time, Dettori stated: "Several years ago, I enlisted the services of professional tax advisors to manage my family's financial affairs.
"A structure was established, and I was assured it had HMRC's approval.
"Years later, HMRC is now contesting that structure. I have since dismissed my former advisors.
"My new advisors and management team are working diligently to resolve the situation I've been placed in."
In December 2022, Dettori announced his intention to retire from his illustrious riding career by the end of the following year.
However, 2023 proved to be a standout year for him, with major victories aboard horses like Chaldean in the 2000 Guineas, Courage Mon Ami in the Ascot Gold Cup, and Mostahdaf in the Juddmonte International. These successes prompted him to reconsider his retirement plans.
Instead of stepping away, Dettori chose to relocate to America, where he has continued to achieve success on the track, including an impressive streak of six consecutive wins at Santa Anita in April last year.
Beyond racing, Dettori's fame extends to television, having served as a team captain on the BBC's A Question of Sport, participated in the 2013 series of Celebrity Big Brother, and appeared on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here in 2023 before his move to the U.S.
