In 30 years practically nothing has trumped the Golden Slipper. Winx does today.
They will pack into Slipper Day at Rosehill this afternoon to see racing's lighthouse attempt a further world record 17 Group 1s in the A$1 million George Ryder. Wow. The beauty is Winx doesn't care whether it rains or not - her only dislike is very firm footing and the expected footing for today is in the soft range.
Just what it will be at Matamata today for the transferred Tauranga programme we will know more about at late morning or very early afternoon, but it was a dead 6 yesterday and we will proceed on that basis.
Provided the footing is decent Italian bred Smart Dragon is a good way to start the day, but the warning is that his European form falls away when it rains. He flew home into fourth in his New Zealand debut run at Ellerslie and should strip a very fit horse for this race provided conditions suit. To his advantage he has drawn No 1 and gets first use of the track. If it rains switch to August Edition, who will relish the 3kg Kate Cowan takes off his back.
Pierrocity (No8, R2) might have publicly expected to perform after a three and a half month break, but trainer Stephen Marsh is certain she is a much better filly as a result of that run. She has a decent share of ability and looks well placed in this race. A few chances here and Madam Woo (No10) and Lady Shabeel (No7) are among them.