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By Nick Berney

An in-depth look at every runner in the $5 million Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

1. Little Brose (Ben & JD Hayes): Had the perfect run to win the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) last start, but he sprinted well and ran fast time. He is a consistent type and can absorb a high-pressure Golden Slipper. Maps to be within striking distance and a small edge at the current price.

2. Barber (James Cummings): Tasted defeat for the first time last start in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), albeit starting the $5 favourite. A case is to be made that he should be shorter in the market after starting that price but, even on his past ratings, he must step significantly.

3. Arkansaw Kid (Ben & JD Hayes): Forget he went around in the Inglis Millennium (1100m), where he was severely checked. After slight excuses, the colt improved significantly to run a solid third in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m). He gets the winkers on for the first time, and although drawn awkwardly, he is a knockout chance. Must go in wider exotics.

Don Corleone (Pic: Bradley Photos)

4. Don Corleone (Peter & Paul Snowden): Profiles well for this event, and he arguably should've won the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) last start. Moreover, he was blocked for most of the straight but, once clear, he savaged the line and clocked one of the fastest final 200m splits of the meeting. The colt has a strong platform and has proven to excel in high-pressure races. In addition, he brings two competitive figures and the booking of Hugh Bowman will suit him. Over the odds and a leading contender.

5. Cylinder (James Cummings): Is the deserved favourite and has had the perfect preparation leading into this event. The Godolphin galloper is on an upwards ratings spiral, and he brings the best last-start figure into the race. Moreover, he ran a slick time when winning the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m), which has historically been a key lead-up race, and there was a significant margin to third to confirm the quality. He gets key factors in his favour with a favourable map; James McDonald rides and expect him to be fighting out the finish. Hard to beat, and I envision him to be firm in the marketplace.

6. Red Resistance (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott): Scratched.

7. Shinzo (Chris Waller): Won the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes last week at this track/distance and, although only running moderate time, he did it in style. The cold ride and getting to the outside was the key to his chances where the start prior, he didn't enjoy being on the inside of other runners. Barrier 1 does look negative, but champion overseas jockey Ryan Moore rides and can overcome that.

8. King's Gambit (Peter & Paul Snowden): Brings an X-Factor and holds the highest individual figure of all runners after his explosive debut win. The colt has performed below market expectations this campaign. However, his ratings/sectional profile suggests he has significant room for improvement and is ready to peak here for his Grand Final. He has won a trial at Randwick leading into this, where he was visually impressive, and he receives key gear changes. In addition, the prospect of a high-pressure event will suit him, and he can use his key attribute of acceleration to sprint over the top of his rivals. Taking a line between him and Cylinder, there is too much price differential due to past SP's, beaten margins and other factors. Over the odds.

9. Empire Of Japan (Peter & Paul Snowden): Was 44 days between runs and had every chance when running fourth in the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m). He is the Breeders' Plate winner but will need to improve significantly on recent form to figure.

10. Learning To Fly (Annabel Neasham): Is the only undefeated runner in this year's Golden Slipper. The filly was visually impressive in her first two starts and has shown adaptability to overcome difficult circumstances. Moreover, she showed great desire and a will to win last start when saluting in the Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m), albeit with some query on the time. We will finally see her ridden with cover, and she possesses attributes that can let her go to a new level. She can win but has been well found in early markets.

Platinum Jubilee (Pic: Bradley Photos)

11. Platinum Jubilee (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott): A case can be made at a price for the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) winner whose form ties in well with Cylinder and King's Gambit. She has since recently clicked up nicely with the blinkers on to win a recent trial at Warwick Farm, which will put her in good order for Saturday. Arguably both of her best performances have come when ridden with cover, and she is a chance with luck from the tricky draw.

12. Blanc De Blanc (Michael Freedman): Has been a victim of circumstances this prep where she has drawn wide in all her starts. However, to her credit, she has raced bravely in defeat, and last start her run was full of merit. She was restrained early, had to make a long, wide, sustained run with nothing to bring her into the race and hit the line. Again, she has a tricky map and may have too much to do.

13. Exploring (James Cummings): Run had hidden merit in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), where she sat outside the leader in a fast tempo and stuck on well. She is rock-hard fit and drawn inside speed runners, which may allow her to find cover. The Godolphin runner is a knockout chance and must go in all exotics.

14. Lazzago (Chris Waller): Was bias assisted when winning the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) and some query of the time/margins of that race. However, she proved she could run the distance, and a high-pressure race would suit her pattern.

15. Steel City (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace): Did it on both ends when winning the Magic Night Stakes (1200m) last week and ran a very fast time. Jockey Regan Bayliss rode her confidently, and she showed key attributes to put her rivals away with ease. She has a trickier setup but is on a quick backup and will roll forward. Must go in all exotics.

16. Facile (Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou): Scratched.

17. Militarize (Chris Waller): Was 31 days between runs and finished off ok behind Cylinder in the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m). There was still improvement to come in the yard but look for him over more ground in the upcoming Group 1 Sires (1400m).

Summary:

Leaning towards King's Gambit at the price where I can mark him and Cylinder much closer together. Cylinder deserves favouritism with multiple factors in his favour. Don Corleone profiles well, and Exploring/Steel City are knockout chances.

Selections:
8. KING'S GAMBIT
5. Cylinder
4. Don Corleone
13. Exploring

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Rosehill Gardens meeting