The world’s richest two-year-old race has earnt another prizemoney boost, with the Australian Turf Club (ATC) confirming that the $5 million Golden Slipper will be accompanied by a $1 million bonus.
The 1200m race has been won by some superstars of the Australian turf, including Manikato, Miss Finland and Pierro, and it is clear that now in 2022, the race is set for all new heights.
All horses competing in the 2022 Golden Slipper will be eligible for a $1 million bonus from the ATC, should they win any two of the five nominated lead-in races, as well as the feature race on March 19.
The nominated races for the bonus are:
With a potential prize purse of $6 million, the March 19 feature at Rosehill Gardens is now the richest race during Sydney’s Autumn Carnival, surpassing the likes of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Doncaster Mile.
ATC Executive General Manager Racing and Wagering, James Ross, said that the prizemoney increase puts the famous race on a “deserved pedestal”, which will further incentivise connections to target the race with their two-year-olds.
WOW. WOW. WOW.
STAY INSIDE IS THE GOLDEN SLIPPER HERO! pic.twitter.com/LpfP6AfDxh
— 7HorseRacing (@7horseracing) March 27, 2021
“The prizemoney increase and $1 million bonus incentive places the Group 1 Longines Golden Slipper on its deserved pedestal in the Sydney autumn as an iconic world racing event,” Mr Ross said.
“All five races in the bonus program are Group 2 events and collectively have proven to produce a higher number of Longines Golden Slipper winners in the famous race’s history.
“This $1 million bonus is both aspirational and achievable as in the past 10 years star colts such as Pierro and Farnan would have taken out the bonus.
“The Australian Turf Club in partnership with Racing NSW is delighted to have further elevated the Longines Golden Slipper as the race that shapes the Australian racing industry like no other.”
After remaining undefeated in Saturday’s Group 3 B.J. McLachlan Stakes at Doomben, Coolangatta sits firmly atop the betting for the Golden Slipper as a $3.50 favourite, ahead of Sejardin ($9) and Shalatin ($10) with online bookmakers.