Proven’s form analyst Nic Ashman has run the rule over the 2024 Golden Slipper following Tuesday morning’s all-important barrier draw.
The favourite STORM BOY has drawn gate 2 for the world’s richest 2YO race. The unbeaten colt is looking to give Gai Waterhouse a record-breaking 8th win in the Slipper and will be ridden by last year’s winning jockey, Ryan Moore.
BARRIER DRAW
| No | Horse | Barrier |
| 1 | STORM BOY | 2 |
| 2 | FULLY LIT | 1 |
| 3 | SHANGRI LA EXPRESS | 3 |
| 4 | RUE DE ROYALE (NZ) | 14 |
| 5 | TRAFFIC WARDEN | 6 |
| 6 | STRAIGHT CHARGE | 9 |
| 7 | SWITZERLAND | 7 |
| 8 | BODYGUARD | 10 |
| 9 | DUBLIN DOWN | 13 |
| 10 | COLEMAN | 4 |
| 11 | HOLMES A COURT | 8 |
| 12 | PROST | 11 |
| 13 | HAYASUGI | 16 |
| 14 | LADY OF CAMELOT | 5 |
| 15 | MANAAL | 17 |
| 16 | ENEEZA | 15 |
| 17e | ESPIONAGE | 12 |
SLIPPER STATS
- 9 of the last 30 Slipper wins have jumped from barrier 1 including the last two winners, FIREBURN and SHINZO
- 18 of the last 20 Slipper winners found the rails in the run
- Waterhouse broke her father Tommy Smith’s record of six Golden Slipper winners when FARNAN scored in 2020
- FARNAN is also the last favourite to win the race
- Five of the last six winners have won their final lead-up run
- 26 of the last 30 winners won or placed in their final lead-up run
- Saddlecloth No.1 has won four Slippers over the past 30 years, three of them trained by Waterhouse
NIC ASHMAN’S TIP
“STORM BOY’s rating in the Magic Millions is up there with the best 2YO performances we’ve seen. If he goes near that figure on Saturday he should be winning. His stablemate STRAIGHT CHARGE tried to lead all the way on a day where no frontrunners held on last start, watch for improvement.”
HOOFNOTE
While the Golden Slipper barrier draw was being held in Sydney on Tuesday morning, Proven Thoroughbreds and Kerry Parker Racing purchased a close relation to 2022 Golden Slipper heroine FIREBURN – lot 291 ALABAMA EXPRESS x WICHITA WOMAN colt for $100,000 + GST.
