April 19th, 2008 - Sebring wins Golden Slipper
UNDEFEATED colt Sebring overcame a tardy start to win the Group I Golden Slipper at Rosehill, the world’s richest race for two-year-olds.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained, Glen Boss-ridden galloper started $6 favourite and was driven through along the inside of the track in the straight to narrowly Von Costa De Hero ($15) by a half-head.
Waterhouse, who won her third Slipper after the successes of Ha Ha in 2001 and Dance Hero four years, said she hadn’t been so excited “in years”.
“I knew he’d won, he made up ground so brilliantly,” she said.
Boss rode Sebring coolly after his slow beginning and found the gaps near the inside to beat Von Costa de Hero in a photo-finish.
“What a great moment,” Boss said.
“This is a very, very special horse. He blew the start but kept his composure and was very strong on the line.
“I feel sorry for Blake but he’s a young bloke and he’ll bounce back from this.
“It is an incredible feeling to win. He missed the start but he kept his composure even though he lost his footing in the wet ground a couple of times.
“I felt like he was going to win at the 200-metre mark. He is a very special horse.”
It was Boss’s second Slipper victory after his win on Flying Spur, another late pick-up ride, in 1995.
Waterhouse trains Sebring for a huge syndicate put together by Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds.
“This is what is so good about Australian racing,” Waterhouse said.
“You can buy a share in a horse for $20,000 and here we are winning a three-and-a-half-million dollar race.”
Von Costa de Hero was one of four runners for David Hayes with All American fifth, Hips Don’t Lie seventh and Blue Diamond Stakes winner Reaan last of the 16 runners.
“Obviously the barrier (15) didn’t help Von Costa,” Hayes said.
“He would have settled midfield if he’d drawn a barrier. He’s a genuine star and we will have a look at the Sires and Champagne Stakes now.”
Portillo ran 1-3/4 lengths third in what was her last start in the all cerise colours of the Ingham family, with Sheik Mohammed’s Darley Stud due to get the final stamp of approval for its purchase of Woodlands Stud racing and breeding empire.
“She was very very brave, she fought all the way to the line,” trainer Peter Snowden said.
“It wasn’t the ideal preparation to run her three weeks in a row but there’s only once chance at a Golden Slipper so I thought why not give it a crack.”
- with AAP & FOX Sports
