One of the favourites, Sunlight, who has won her past five outings. Photo: AAP
He’s less than 12 months into his training career, yet Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup is a strong chance to notch his first Group-1 win at Rosehill on Saturday.
And it just so happens to be in the world’s richest race for two-year-olds – the $3.5 million Golden Slipper.
Widdup worked for a number of stables, including Godolphin for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai), before going it alone as a trainer in May last year.
He will saddle up $13 chance Sandbar, a colt that has won two of his four starts, and gave Slipper favourite Written By one hell of a fright in last week’s Pago Pago Stakes.
“It would be a great thrill to win it,” Widdup told The New Daily.
“He’s a really tough little character and deserves his place in the field.”
Christian Reith, Widdup’s brother-in-law, will ride Sandbar in the 1200-metre feature.
Widdup is hoping Sandbar will become the 11th Group-1 winner in Australia this season to start at $10 or more.
Remarkably, of the 43 races at the top level, only 13 favourites have won, with some of the winners starting at massive odds – Mighty Boss won the Caulfield Guineas at $101, Harlem won the Australian Cup at $61, Caulfield Cup winner Boom Time was $51.
One man hoping to buck that trend is jockey Luke Currie, who partners Slipper favourite Sunlight.
After placing third on debut, the filly has won her past five outings.
“She’s the best two-year-old I’ve ridden,” Currie told The New Daily.
“She’s pretty fast.
“If she handles the wet, I’m confident she will run a mighty race.”
Less than 90 minutes before the Slipper, champion mare Winx will almost certainly win her 24th consecutive race (and 17th Group 1) when she squares off against a small field in the George Ryder Stakes.
Ranvet Stakes (Race 4): Gailo Chop
George Ryder Stakes (Race 5): Winx
Rosehill Guineas (Race 6): Vin De Dance
The Galaxy (Race 8): English