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By Ray Hickson

Golden Slipper hero Shinzo can stamp himself as a history making colt if he pulls off a bold plan by trainer Chris Waller to win Saturday’s $1 million Kia Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill first-up from a spell and announce himself as a TAB Everest force.

Trainer Chris Waller (Pic: Bradley Photos)

Not only is Shinzo attempting to be the first horse to win the race without a lead up run, he’s also in line to be the first to take out the Golden Slipper-Golden Rose double in the same calendar year.

The filly Forensics is the only Slipper winner to return at three to win the Rose but her Slipper was in 2007 and the now traditional spring Group 1 was moved to the autumn of 2008 due to equine influenza.

Waller elected not to give Shinzo a lead up run in the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) two weeks go, a race that has produced eight of the last 11 Golden Rose winners, but said he has a very fit horse to take up the challenge.

“He’s been in work a long time,’’ Waller said.

“He spelled after the Golden Slipper and had his full six weeks out. We bought him in back in June so he’s been in work for a while.

“He did that lovely uphill pre-training work, he’s never looked heavy all preparation. He had two trials, they’ve been spot on, he had an exhibition gallop and then he had a jump out at home last Tuesday.”

After drawing barrier 10, it seems Shinzo won’t be burdened with favouritism for the Golden Rose. He was a $5.50 chance with TAB on Tuesday with Golden Slipper runner-up Cylinder holding top spot after two wins to kick off his three-year-old year including the Run To The Rose.

He’s a $13 chance in TAB Everest betting and it would appear Shinzo is set to take Coolmore’s slot in the $20 million race if he is in the finish on Saturday at what will be just his fifth race start.

The colt last appeared at the trials on August 11, where he ran down Zaaki to win a 900m gallop, and his exhibition gallop was alongside Militarize on September 2.

Waller always maintained Shinzo would be a better horse at three and he said what he’s seeing at home points to that being the case.

“He’s strengthened up and you saw what he did as a two-year-old,’’ he said.

“He’s come back stronger and mentally he’s fantastic which I think is great for colts. It’s a sign of who he is, he’s a proper horse.”

If Shinzo does happen to win the Golden Rose, he’ll become the first horse to be eligible for the Golden Slam – a $5 million bonus for any horse who to can win the Slipper at two, Rose at three and the Golden Eagle at four.

Ryan Moore returns to partner Shinzo, as he did in the Golden Slipper, while Waller is also reuniting Militarize with international rider Joao Moreira who partnered that colt to wins in the Group 1 Sires’ and Champagne Stakes in the autumn.

Golden Slipper winner Shinzo (@mcacajamez, inside) shades Sires' & Champagne winner Militarize (@KPMcEvoy) in a gallop at Randwick as the Group 1 winning @cwallerracing duo prepare to kick off their spring. 👀 pic.twitter.com/wMF2JkiUyr

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) September 2, 2023

Militarize took his place in the Run To The Rose and hit the line strongly to run fifth, beaten, three-quarters of a length by Cylinder and Waller got his wish for an inside barrier when the son of Dundeel came up with gate two.

“He wasn’t beaten far, he drew bad and finished off well over 1200m,’’ he said.

“I think if he had equal weights and drew a good barrier he arguably wins the race first-up.

“The 1400m will suit him well, obviously it’s a good race and a barrier draw would help.”

Waller has won the Golden Rose twice – with Zoustar in 2013 and The Autumn Sun in 2018.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Golden Rose