Racing News

North England advertises Slipper credentials

North England (Farnan) served up a reminder that he should not be left out of Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) discussions with a slick 900-metre trial win on Monday, beating a couple of leading contenders for the $5 million Group 1 at Rosehill.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt proved 3.5 lengths too good for $21 Golden Slipper hope Bel Merci (Extreme Choice), kicking clear when the Gimcrack Stakes (Gr 3, 1000m) winner attempted to challenge 300 metres out. Pallaton (Wootton Bassett), an $11 chance for next month’s juvenile sprint feature, was 3.7 lengths off the winner in third. 

A first-crop son of 2020 Golden Slipper winner Farnan (Not A Single Doubt), North England clocked a time of 52.96 seconds – almost one second faster than the next-quickest of the 14 900-metre trials on the card. It was the colt’s second trial of the campaign after he claimed an 800-metre heat at Hawkesbury on January 20.

The $280,000 Inglis Classic Sale yearling has not been to the races since winning the $1 million Golden Gift (1100m) in November, which followed a third placing in the Breeders’ Plate (Gr 3, 1000m).

Now $17 in Golden Slipper betting, North England is expected to resume in the $300,000 Silver Slipper Stakes (Gr 2, 1100m) at Rosehill on February 22, taking on the Chris Waller-trained Golden Slipper favourite Wodeton (Wootton Bassett). 

Trainer Michael Freedman has also indicated that the Silver Slipper is the likely next start for Pallaton, who was not pressured in his first trial since his impressive debut win over 1000 metres at Randwick on December 21. 

Also on show at Rosehill on Monday was 2024 Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon), who trialled over 900 metres and finished a 0.1-length second behind last-start Gosford Guineas (Listed, 1200m) winner Dance To The Boom (Exceedance) in a time of 55.17 seconds.

Champions Sprint (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Sunshine In Paris (Invader) was another 3.3 lengths back in third, while comeback kid Militarize (Dundeel) was not asked for much in his first trial since being gelded and put back into work for Chris Waller, finishing a five-length sixth.

The second star-studded trial of the morning also went the way of Tulloch Lodge, as Tramway Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) winner Royal Patronage (Wootton Bassett) delivered in his first trial since a seventh placing in the Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m), covering the 900-metre trip in 54.88 seconds and finishing 0.1 lengths ahead of Lindermann (Lonhro).

Group 1 winner Joliestar (Zoustar) showed zest in the second trial of her preparation, flying home from last under little pressure to finish third, another half-length behind. The Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni) was given an easy time of things in fifth, beaten just 1.7 lengths. 

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