SPORT
HARPO’ s MARKS Golden Slipper glory: chasing the greatest of them all
Full of beer and light on cash after this year’ s Golden Slipper Stakes, my pub mates and I began the post-race ritual: dissecting the race and debating whether it revealed a future great. The general consensus? This year’ s edition, while entertaining, hadn’ t quite unveiled a horse destined for racing immortality.
But before we go any further, I need to get something off my chest. Rivellino, who ran fourth, should’ ve bolted in. Absolutely should have. Hugh Bowman’ s ride left much to be desired – you could argue trainer Kris Lees might’ ve gotten a better result by tossing a bag of chook pellets in the saddle. Honestly, it was a butchering. Anyway, back to the real topic at hand. Our conversation turned to a far more interesting subject: what’ s been the most impressive Golden Slipper win of all time?
The race has produced some of the finest thoroughbreds in Australian history since its inaugural running in 1957, when Todman claimed victory in blistering fashion.
We gathered around what we dubbed the“ Greatest Slipper Winner Roundtable” – about a dozen of us, pints in hand, each offering up a different champion. Unsurprisingly, the discussion got animated quickly.
Some blokes voted through their wallets, having backed certain winners over the years. One die-hard Labor man even tipped 2000 winner Belle Du Jour – unsurprisingly, given she was part-owned by Bob Hawke and John Singleton. That pick wasn’ t purely political though. Belle Du Jour’ s win was something else: she buck-jumped out of the barriers, missed
Barrier with RiseTONY BRASSEL
BREEZE EASY is a classy former USA neddy now in the Matthew Dale stable at Moruya. He could not have been more impressive in jumping to the front and, untouched throughout, bolting away to win 920m trial on home track on April 19. Slipped home in smart 33.66 seconds.
CASINO COLLECTION is an unraced 3YO filly by Casino Prince and trained at Coffs Harbour by Donna Grisedale. Showed ton of pace without being put under the hammer in two trials, latest over 1006m at Port Macquarie on April 19. Blitzed rivals, including the very smart Cenotes which finished second. RAIKKONEN showed plenty of ability in three runs late last year, winning two in town. Ran on powerfully when second in 1207m W’ farm trial on April 17.
WOOTTON VERDI is now in the Waller yard after winning five of his nine outings against top company back in France. Was never under any undue pressure in finishing powerfully for second in 1207m trial at W’ Farm on April 17.
SCHWARTZ is a classy galloper and whatever he is being set for this preparation, you just want to be on him going on slashing 822m trial win at W’ Farm on April 17.
WATERFORD wound up third behind Schwartz in the above trial and it was a terrific effort. Tailed off at the turn, he unleashed a barnstorming finishing with being knocked about. the start by three lengths, and somehow flew home from last on the turn to snatch victory in the final stride. Unreal.
Others around the table chimed in with a parade of champions – many of their picks preceding Belle Du Jour’ s 2000 win. Names like Todman, Sky High, Vain, Baguette, Tontonan, Manikato, Marscay, Sir Dapper, Bounding Away, Vivarchi, Storm Queen, and Eskimo Prince were thrown into the mix. Frankly, you couldn’ t argue with any of them.
One mate swore by Eskimo Prince. He might’ ve been speaking from sentiment – he backed the colt in 1964 when he saluted in style. Owned by the“ colourful racing identity” and illegal casino boss Perc Galea, Eskimo Prince’ s win was unforgettable – and Galea’ s post-race celebration even more so. Legend has it, he reached into his winnings and flung £ 10 notes into the crowd. Try picturing that in today’ s era of QR codes and online betting accounts!
Eskimo Prince was bred for greatness, being by Todman out of Chicquita, one of Australia’ s top mares. Todman himself won 10 of his 12 starts, including the Slipper, Champagne Stakes, Hill Stakes, Lightning Stakes and Futurity Stakes, before retiring to a successful stud career. He sired champions like Sweet Embrace, Blazing Saddles, New Gleam and Imposing.
Chicquita was no less accomplished, racking up 16 wins from 36 starts. She claimed the VRC Oaks and several weightfor-age events and even ran second in both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. It’ s hard to find a pedigree stronger than that.
So, who did I pick?
Drum roll … After much soulsearching, it came down to two – Todman and Luskin Star. And by a whisker, Luskin Star got my vote.
Now, choosing Luskin Star over Todman wasn’ t easy. Todman went into the 1957 Slipper unbeaten in three starts, including a dominant win against older horses in a six-furlong welter. Drawn wide in barrier 18, he shot straight to the lead and gave champion jockey Neville Sellwood a dream ride, winning untouched by eight lengths – a record margin that still stands.
But Luskin Star’ s 1977 performance was unforgettable for different reasons. Sitting three wide in sixth at the turn, the race looked beyond him when Blazing Saddles surged to the front. But with 300 metres to go, jockey Johnny Wade let the reins slip, and Luskin Star produced a phenomenal burst. Giant strides – the horse’ s, not Wade’ s, mind you – swallowed up the ground. He caught and passed Blazing Saddles 250 metres from home, then coasted to a soft win ahead of Lloyd’ s Boy and the fading leader.
He wasn’ t done there either. Luskin Star went unbeaten for the rest of the 1976 – 77 season, capturing the AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes, Champagne Stakes, QTC Sires’ Produce Stakes and even the openclass Marlboro Stakes.
As a three-year-old, he ran eight times for five wins, including the Phar Lap Stakes and The Galaxy. After that, he was retired to stud, where he enjoyed a solid career. But for me, it’ s that Slipper burst that sticks in the memory – sheer acceleration, poise and class.
That’ s the thing about the Golden Slipper. It isn’ t just a race; it’ s a proving ground. A moment in time where stars either emerge or fade. And whether your heart’ s with Todman, Luskin Star, Belle Du Jour or another, each winner tells a story – not just of a horse, but of an era.
LOW MARKS: Finally, a word to Sydney’ s racing and rugby league journos – has anyone in the media uttered a word of criticism since Peter V’ Landys took charge? Donald Trump once said he looked forward to foreign leaders kissing his brass. Seems our media’ s already puckering up for PVL.
22 ISSUE 50 // MAY 2025 theindependentmagazine. com. au BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT