The health, and wealth, of two year old racing in Australia was clearly evidenced last week with the release of nominations for both the 2017 $3.5 million Longines Golden Slipper and the 2017 $1.5 million Ladbrokes Blue Diamond.
Indeed, the 2091 nominations for the 61st running of the Golden Slipper is a record and a significant increase from the 2007 entered last year.
Snitzel, whose current 2YOs include $450k earner, Nikitas, and El Divino, leads the way with 108 entries for the Slipper while he has 73 in the Blue Diamond.
Others with a sizeable presence include Sebring (85 Slipper, 59 Blue Diamond), Fastnet Rock (84 GS, 51 BD) and Smart Missile (70 GS, 39 BD), while the initial progeny of 2012 Golden Slipper winner, Pierro (82 GS, 59 BD) and Black Caviar’s 4-time Group One winning half brother, All Too Hard (75 GS, 52 BD) have also made an impact.
Interestingly, Written Tycoon, who has enjoyed a landmark season with his 2015-16 juveniles via Golden Slipper and Magic Millions winner, Capitalist, Luna Rossa and Winning Rupert, has 36 in the Slipper and 35 for the Diamond.
Queensland based mare, Kitalpha, the dam of Capitalist, has her Real Saga filly entered for the Golden Slipper, while a half brother (by Pierro) to 2015 Golden Slipper winner, Vancouver, is also nominated.
“The Longines Golden Slipper is the race every owner, trainer, jockey and breeder dreams of winning from the moment a young thoroughbred takes its first steps,” Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Officer, Darren Pearce, said when releasing his Club’s 2017 entries.
The same could be said of the Blue Diamond Stakes which has 1372 entries for 2017.
“The total number of entries represents an increase of 30 on last year’s nominations tally, and an eight year record high,” said Melbourne Racing Club CEO Brodie Arnhold.
Caulfield trainer, Mick Price, accounts for 102 of the yearlings and will be chasing a third Blue Diamond following victories in 2012 with Samaready and Extreme Choice this year.
Team Snowden, which lifted the Diamond in 2011 (Sepoy) and 2014 (Earthquake), has 71 entries, including a High Chaparral half brother to 2015 Blue Diamond winner, Pride of Dubai.
Fittingly, Exceed And Excel – who has two Diamond winners in Earthquake and Reward For Effort, chimes in with the second greatest number of entries, 60, Not A Single Doubt (sire of Extreme Choice) has 25, while Reward For Effort has 23 of his first crop youngsters.
