From Cage Fighters to Wage Riders: The Gold, the Gamble and Campione D’italia

Mad, bad and dangerous to ride, Campione D’italia is a perfect fit for Saturday’s $5 million Golden Slipper, a charge of the two-year-old brigade.

Yes it caters for youngsters, many wayward and green, speed difficult to harness, but none more so than Campione D’italia in the 70 year history.

None previously have done so much wrong in a leadup event, the Skyline Stakes, at Randwick and still score, after a series of eyesores by nearly dropping the difficult to dislodge Tom Berry near the finish.

Sure it was a mess at the end but only the Snitzel colt’s second start, after a head throwing debut giving the impression he had severe tooth ache.

Every race is a gamble, some wonderful others excruciating. But the improvement factor with two-year-olds adds fascination to the Sydney Turf Club’s signature race.

With the Golden Slipper this year the program looks exceptional: James McDonald, the world’s best jockey, could break Damian Oliver’s Group one record and Autumn Glow will be out to continue her 10-winning streak in the Ryder.

A spectacular promotion that changed the face of Australian racing, more emphasis on two-year-olds, the Golden Slipper doesn’t rate with my top six best races. It’s a 1200 metre dash for juveniles and given little credence for the first, won by Todman in 1957.

Todman was the best Golden Slipper winner I witnessed, only missed three when in the United Kingdom in the 1960’s. Perhaps the years have inflated the memory. I asked the legendary Tommy Smith who was the best – Todman or Vain, a phenomenal colt. “No race,” he replied, “Todman.”. My most enjoyable chapters were the Max Lees trained Luskin Star (1977) and Sir Dapper (1983).

Before Luskin Star raced, Val Harland, The Sun’s Broadmeadow trackman, told me he was the best horse he had seen, so I was hooked from the start. Sir Dapper was prepared by Les Bridge, who opined during our handball sessions at Giles Baths, Coogee, that he had never had a colt so shin sore — yet so good — and that he would win the Golden Slipper despite it.

These days the sprint is run under the equine equivalent of Marquess of Queensberry but going back was more cage fighting. The gold triggered the competitive instincts of jockeys, who now ride more for wages with so many big prizemoney opportunities.

George Moore on Baguette (1970) shoulder charged clear in the straight and should have lost on protest to Royal Show (Kevin Langby). The usual plaid “K” was spitting chips. Greg Hall, handling Merlene (1996), was outed and fined savagely after the triumph for pleading he was doing what he had to do. Collateral damage was left in his wake.

Ron Quinton, now a senior statesman on ground level, gives the impression butter would not melt in his mouth, but had the grit required to compete with the toughest, evidenced on Marauding (1987).

Desperation has gone out of the Golden Slipper, like the great two-year-olds. Consider Todman, Vain, Manikato, Sky High, Fine And Dandy and Tontonan going back to the name a few. Others also would make Saturday’s best look like lead ponies.

The Gai Waterhouse tuned Pierro (2012) was the last one to rate high with me. Golden Slipper Day, though, has become more than one race. Most of the era greats figured on the program. Makybe Diva notched the Tancred then run with Golden Slipper but now the following week.

Ranvet, the replacement weight-for-age event, still has substance: the outstanding Via Sistina won the last two.

And what a great race, the Ryder Stakes, named after George Ryder, who set the occasion in motion with the Golden Slipper, has become.

Champion Winx won the Ryder (four times) and Autumn Glow is out to continue the trend this year. While the present two-year-olds look slack, the Ryder is strong.

Under the development of Chris Waller, Autumn Glow was a $1.30 on Friday. I am allergic to red so this unbeaten mare won’t get me on a straight-out basis. However she is a highlight, the rare commodity that gives me a kick just looking at her, particularly in full flight.

Waller’s knack with mares is again to the fore with Aeliana in the Ranvet. Aeliana has been impressive chasing home Autumn Glow recently. Odds-on again, look on. Sir Delius is a danger, on the score he is still on the rise. An import, Sir Delius can improve on his third behind Autumn Glow and Aeliana in Randwick’s Verry Elleegant.

Waller has three colts in the Golden Slipper. Apart from Campione D’italia, the trainer saddles up Fireball and Hindrix, a $1.7 million yearling, who looked like justifying his purchase price winning his debut from the one gate at Rosehill, the launching pad on Saturday. His subsequent two efforts have been more gelder’s blade than Group One.

Fireball in on the short list. Fit and experienced with a good gate (drew 7 but will come in under scratchings), the Snitzel colt should have finished closer last start. With J-Mac, blinkers and odds ($16) he is attractive.

Still Campione D’italia is on top. I found him last start and subsequently the colt had a barrier trial under race jockey Damian Lane: jumped sluggish, and still inclined to be headstrong. The ability is there. Hopefully the bad habits have been tempered with experience. That’s the gamble.

For a more educated view Inside Running’s Dan O’Sullivan rates Chayan on top from Pembrey and Closer to Free.

“Winning a race of this nature is never defined by recent ratings alone. Factors such as a horse’s capacity to improve to a new peak, its likely settling position, the suitability of the race shape and pattern, the jockey’s execution and luck in running all play a role,” he maintained.

Luck in running?

George Moore, Greg Hall and Ron Quinton made their own.