The Ruby Slipper

After some huge mid week controversy in what will forever be known as the ‘Electrostatic’ debarcle the dust has settled and it will be time for the horses to do the talking.

A penalty has been handed down to rouge trainer Wolfgang Vansheen and Deyoto Lefranse has signalled his intention to leave the Conglomerate following the Ruby Slipper this weekend.

A field of 13 will start in the ‘race that stops the Conglomerate’ and all trainers are confident of victory bar Captain Nog who has declared his two entrants as no chance and Luca Gilberto who failed to have a horse qualify, although many in racing circles are wondering why he didn’t just enter an extra one anyway.

All jokes aside let’s take a look at the field that will line up on the weekend in this the 2^nd annual Ruby Slipper.

6f firm turf, 2 year olds.

$50,000

1. Prince Bear will jump from gate 1 and although being an 11/1 chance with the bookies the Conglomerate know he is the horse to beat. After a stunning debut in the colts prelude Prince Bear the first foal of Kingston Park pin up girl ‘Queen Bear’ looks to be a gun 2 year old in the making. Trainer is very confident about his prospects here and rival trainers will be instructing their jockeys to be very wary of this colt’s position as they near the home turn. The one to beat.

2. Hellfire Pass is also trained down at Kingston Park by Wolfgang Vansheen and will jump from the 2^nd alley. She has Snappa on board who’s been in hot form of late and she took out the fillies prelude to give her trainer a double on the day. Expected to run another big race here she adds a 2^nd solid string to the bow of Vansheen and looks to loom as one of the main threats to the Bear if she can repeat her prelude form. Top 5 chance.

3. Fire The Guns is a Hussonet filly and hails from the Hawk43 Empire. She ran 3^rd in the fillies prelude with a barnstorming run that saw her fly past the majority of the field in the final 2 furlongs this filly will appreciate the extra furlong the final has to offer. Last year Nog pulled out a shock result in the Slipper with the one hit wonder Bloody Invincible so would be loathe to dismiss either of his 2 entrants here today despite his self confession mid week that neither of his 2 charges are up to it this year. Will fly late.

4. Swiper is in the trusty hands of J Kohlmorgen this week and starts the event as an equal favourite at 6/1. The son of Speightstown ran 3^rd in the colts prelude where he fought on gamely over the concluding stages where he was clearly lacking in fitness. Will benefit from that run and adds a 3^rd strong line of attack for Vansheen in the event. If he has come on well since the prelude you can expect to see this fighter right there in the finish again. Will fight for it.

5. Electrostatic has been declared a non runner for the event having been illegally entered following a failure to qualify. While central records with world racing body derbyfever will remain, the Conglomerate will not recognise the result of this runner in their official archives.

6. Florentine Dream is a half sister to multiple stakes winning 3 year old filly Invincibility and is one of 3 runners representing Champion Lodge. Lefranse has managed to convince top Vic jock D Evans that she’s a good thing for the event and he will take the ride. The daughter of Hussonet was a narrow 2^nd by ¾ of a length in the fillies prelude and looks to be a promising type. The bookies agree and have installed her as equal top pick at 6/1 along with Swiper. Looks a major chance.

7. The Huss ran 4^th in the colts prelude after trying to go gate to wire but in obvious need of a run was unable to carry out the set task that day. The stable has marked him 3^rd elect behind its other 2 runners but does believe he has what it takes to win here. If given a soft time in front he will look to dictate terms and will obviously benefit from his first up effort and while others look preferred he can’t be ruled out. Top 5 chance.

8. Last Mohican is a son of Invincible Spirit and is the 3^rd runner from Champion Lodge. The stable marks this guy the hardest to beat of the 3 entrants however does believe his best racing will be seen later in the year when he steps up to the mile. An eye catching run on debut this colt will relish the extra furlong this race has to offer and will no doubt be flying late again. Big chance.

9. Chill is a full breeding sister to Aggulotto’s guns Freezing and Freeze and greatly pleased her trainer when qualifying for the final from the fillies prelude. She’s got stable jock G Aggulotto on board for the race and although her trainer has conceded the Ruby will be far too short for her I know he’s quietly confident with her after speaking with him midweek. I tend to agree with his logic rather than his heart strings and think she will put up a gallant effort for her trainer in this however will find others here a bit sharper over the 6f.

10. Retail Therapy another from Kingston Park and finished 4^th in her prelude. A daughter of Dansili she makes it here today on the back of a prelude effort that failed to show any real spark for this. Definitely not the pick of the Vansheen runners but nonetheless she is here and anything can happen when 2 year olds step out for their 2^nd career start. Doubt she’s good enough to win this.

11. Mining For Ruby was aptly named for this and hails from the Briant Breeding and Racing Empire. Aggulotto is probably eyeing off longer distance racing for this colt however his 6^th place in the colts prelude while not being brilliant was still a solid first hit out. Could this be the cat in the bag amongst the Conglomerate to deliver the knock out punch? 13/1.

12. Queens Of Diamonds has the Skunk on board for trainer Captain Nog. Is the 2^nd of his two runners and looks to be the 2^nd pick of the two with Fire The Guns the more promising of the two so far. Rated no chance by the trainer and I tend to agree, this filly ran 6^th in the prelude and will be battling away towards the back of the field on current form. Can’t have her.

13. Awesome Allegiance has Gianluigi Aggulotto buzzing ahead of the Slipper. Finished a slashing 2^nd in the colts prelude this son of Encosta de Lago looks the goods. To be ridden by N Hartel there is lots to like about this guy and I see him being the other one to beat. I rate him on top with Prince Bear. Hard to beat.

Summary:

In a week of controversy the real winner in the end will be racing with twelve 2 year olds here stepping out to do their trainers proud.

Lefranse believes he is right in the mix with hopefuls Florentine Dream and Last Mohican while Gianluigi Aggulotto is super confident with the prospects of Awesome Allegiance.

Vansheen is all smiles with his 2 prelude winners in Hellfire Pass and the boom colt Prince Bear while Captain Nog looks to be a chance at taking out back to back slippers with Fire The Guns.

Its going to be a great race folks so be sure to get trackside and have a look at the 2^nd annual Ruby Slipper, I personally find it a tough one to pick.

Awesome Allegiance, Prince Bear and Florentine Dream look to be the top line of the picks, while strong winning chances I also concede to Fire The Guns, Swiper, Hellfire Pass and Last Mohican.

Going to be a great race, good luck to all!