Here is a betsy article I have done.
Head over there for all the Slipper latest and Dean Watling is your Sydney man in good form!
SLIPPER 2026:
Your Betsy man for the Slipper is Mr Watling, they don’t come any better than him. If you are looking for a second or third opinion for exotics, you may get something out of this.
Here is a quick preview with some of my thoughts on what looks a very open edition of the Golden Slipper.
After the draw I think we are guaranteed for a fast run slipper. Plenty of speed drawn wide and nobody wants to be neutral from out there and risk being four wide facing the breeze.
You could easily make a case for a dozen runners here and miss. No dominant 2yr old like previous years and for the first time in a long time the Victorian 2yr olds look to have the edge on the home town 2yr olds.
This race is all about timing and it looks as though (14) Chayan is peaking at the right time. Very good on debut in the Diamond prelude, then a pass mark after being wide in the Blue Diamond. Made the trip to Sydney for the Reisling G2 last start and was dominant there. Should find cover and with speed on she can be the strongest late.
If you like her, you have to like (12) Streisand who beat Chayan twice, including winning the Blue Diamond. Gate isn’t bad, Melham stays on and stable seem supremely confident. May be double figures which seems crazy.
Would have loved a better draw for (6) Stretan Ruler. The tempo didn’t really suit last start but the effort was good. The run before that suited better and he let down like a good. Think speed on will suit him and he just needs a pinch of luck early and in the run.
Loved what (2) Closer To Free and (3) Guest House have done in Melbourne. Neither have run poorly yet and very little between them. Gate a concern for Closer To Free but Guest House should get the right run and gets cross over nose band first time.
(7) Zambales draws well for Nash and is the rock hard fit horse off the 1400m run last start.
No knock on (5) Paradoxium, just thought raced panned out perfect last start and might have to use a lot more juice early here.
Gibbo’s Slipper selections:
(14) Chayan
(12) Streisand
(6) Stretan Ruler
(3) Guest House
(7) Zambales
