Favourite Farnan has led the 2020 running of the Golden Slipper from start to finish to hand legendary trainer Gai Waterhouse her a record seventh win in the 1200m two-year-old classic.
The colt, at around $5 in an open market with the bookies, was drawn out wide but jumped brilliantly, getting across to take the lead at the 1000m and control the race.
With Hugh Bowman aboard, Farnan never really looked troubled, though Glen Boss and Away Game loomed in the straight to keep him honest.
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Mamaragan, ridden by Nash Rawiller, ran a big race to finish third at odds.
Among 90 Group 1 wins, it was a maiden Golden Slipper for Bowman, as well as a first for Waterhouse's training partner Adrian Bott.
Check out the video below.
FARNAN WINS THE GOLDEN SLIPPER@GaiWaterhouse1 makes history winning her seventh. pic.twitter.com/8MUzA0dqTY
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) March 21, 2020
The $3.5 million race was run in bizarre conditions, with only essentional connections on track, as Sydney's Rosehill Racecourse was closed to the public amid the coronavirus crisis.
Speaking after the race, Bowman had high praise for the colt.
"I’d just like to congratulate Gai and Adrian and their team for the preparation to develop this horse to behave and race the way he did this afternoon was second to none," the star hoop said.
"I’ve been lucky enough to ride some really good horses over my career as everyone knows but I haven’t ridden a better two-year-old.
"Just his mannerisms and his professionalism that is one thing but his ability is another.”
Never in doubt. Farnan etches his name in the history books as the 2020 Golden Slipper winner. Thank you @AquisFarm & @PhoenixThoroug1 for the opportunity to train such a talented colt. Here’s to much future success 🥂 @HugeBowman @mmsnippets @rosehillgardens pic.twitter.com/FhvcWfe8JM
— Gai Waterhouse (@GaiWaterhouse1) March 21, 2020
