The $5million Group I ATC Golden Slipper (1200m) at Tosehill on Saturday was won in dominant style by top class colt Guest House, who started life in the paddocks at Newgate Farm.
Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr, Guest House looked special when winning on debut at Cranbourne last December and then placed at his next two starts in the Group III MRC Blue Diamond Prelude and Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes won by the filly Streisand.
The Home Affairs colt was luckless on both occasions with neither race unfolding well for him, but with leading Sydney rider Zac Lloyd in the saddle this time Guest House delivered on potential.
Allowed to settle in the second half of the field, Guest House travelled smoothly with a hot tempo up front and when he found clear running through the field after turning for home unleashed with a sensational turn of foot.
Guest House surged through on the inside to turn the tables on Streisand, who was second beaten a length and a half with the only gelding in the field, Music Time holding on for third to the delight of his Canberra based connections.
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It was a first Slipper win for Zac Lloyd, who aspires to the lofty heights set by reigning champion jockey James McDonald.
“It was high pressure, but my colt, he was fantastic. He’s obviously a very good Home Affairs’ colt,” he said.
“He broke on terms. He’s been a bit tricky in his mannerisms, but today he was very attractable. I got on the back of the best jockey in the world and I thought, ‘Here we go, we’ll go from here.’
“And I just quickened that well. I was just waiting for a run, but geez, he let down so well. So I’m very happy. I’m so pleased for the big ownership and Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr and Ben Elam, who works here in Sydney.”
Michael Kent Jr and Ben Elam were elated to achieve Slipper success with a valuable colt.
“He’s had three runs where nothing went right. With the speed on, he finally relaxed. Zac Lloyd, what can I say, he read the pattern, and the horse was so good,” said Michael Kent Jr.
“It’s so right for Mick. I’m so lucky I work with Mick. He’s had so many close calls in this race. He’s a great two-year-old trainer. Himself and Timmy Rogers found the horse.”
“I’m very excited. I’m rapt for Mick Price. He gave me a big show in this game and I’m very lucky. And credit to all our staff back at home. A lot of work goes into these good colts.”
Guest House has been in Melbourne for much of his preparation, but Ben Elam put the finishing touches on him this week at Rosehill.
“It’s incredible. It’s a Golden Slipper. It’s the pinnacle of two-year-old racing, and he has taken a bit of work. Pre-Christmas, he was a bit of a lad. He went down to Melbourne, and the Melbourne staff did a terrific job with him. He came up here in tip-top shape off what was an unlucky run,” he said.
“Since he’s been up here, he has just been an absolute gentleman.”
A $270,000 Magic Millions purchase from Newgate Farm for Mick Price Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd/Roll The Dice Racing/Rogers Bloodstock, Guest House has a huge ownership group who are now sitting on a goldmine.
Two wins and two placings from four starts have netted his owners $3.3million, but the real money will come in the future when his stud career begins.
Bred by Love Racing and partners, Guest house was foaled and raised at Newgate Farm and is a half-brother to stakes-placed Nitrous being the best of six winners from six foals to race from Group II placed Stratum mare Flamboyant Lass, a full sister to Group II winner Attention.
Flamboyant Lass has a yearling filly by Stay Inside.
