Lady Of Camelot (+600) has got the head down where it matters most to claim the $5 million Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m), earning Gai Waterhouse her eighth win in Australia’s richest two-year-old feature.
It was an outstanding edition of the Slipper, with the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott barn lining up six acceptances for the event, including the long-standing favourite Storm Boy (+130).
Shangri La Express (+6000) and Straight Charge (+1300) were sent to the front and ensured a break-neck tempo throughout the 1200m journey; however, favourite backers would’ve been left to wonder where Storm Boy was.
He stood in the stalls as the starter let them go, missing the start by two lengths before being ridden up by Ryan Moore to hold a position.
Blake Shinn got into a lovely rhythm just in behind the speed, while the Chris Waller-trained Switzerland (+400) was off the bit for most of the race, unable to muster in the back-half of the field.
With 400m left to travel, Straight Charge gave a mighty kick, but was left as a sitting duck as the late challenge of Coleman (+4000) emerged, along with the recovering Storm Boy putting in the big strides towards the inside for a grandstand finish.
The big filly Lady Of Camelot was only just getting clear with 250m to go, and when asked for the ultimate effort by Blake Shinn, was able to power over the top in the shadows of the post.
2024 Group 1 Golden Slipper Replay – Lady Of Camelot
It was a sensational victory by the daughter of Written Tycoon as Adrian Bott spoke on behalf of the team and spoke to the emotion of how the race unfolded.
“Fantastic,” said Bott.
“We’ve spoken on numerous occasions throughout this week about what this race means to the stable, the industry, the public. It’s a great race to win.
“I’m delighted to be able to do that once again and alongside a special person in Gai Waterhouse, who I have to thank so much for the career. The partnership we’ve been able to do together.
“It’s a great achievement. She has gone to another level again, eight Slippers for her now.
“That’s where the emotions (take over). It’s hard to know where to look. The race changed complexion there pretty quickly with him (Storm Boy) missing the start.
“I had to watch him try to pick up and I lost track of the others at that point and the way the track has been playing, it has been difficult for them to come up the inside.
“She has been very brave to do that as well and a great ride by Blake Shinn.”
Blake Shinn was elated with the win and compared her to the likes of Capitalist earlier in his career.
“It was very exciting,” said Shinn.
“I was getting held up there for a bit, but I just had to bide our time and wait for the opportunity to present and when it did she really let down well.
“I had the horse to quicken and we just needed the gap and she was great. I’m so happy.
“She broke really well and when I was able to get that position, everything was just going to plan nicely, I just needed the gap to happen.
“A little bit like Capitalist, when I won on him in 2016, we got it and she did the rest. It was really special.
“It means a lot. This is one of the majors and I think more so it means a lot this time because I’ve done it for Adrian and particularly Gai.”
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