Golden Slipper: Kiamichi wins as Godolphin claim trifecta, Winx and The Autumn Sun win again

Tom Naghten

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Golden Slipper: Kiamichi wins as Godolphin claim trifecta, Winx and The Autumn Sun win again image

Kiamichi caused an upset when winning the world's richest race for two-year-olds by a length at Sydney's Rosehill on Saturday afternoon.

Godolphin had six runners in the Golden Slipper and finished with the trifecta as Microphone and Lyre rounded out the placings.

Punters could get around 30/1 on Kiamichi, with the draw of barrier 16 no doubt scaring many off.

With Damien Lane aboard, Kiamichi pressed forward and hit the front around the 800m, pinching a fairly soft lead for couple of furlongs.

Lane went for home at the 300m, the lead getting out to as much as two lengths before the chasing pack closed in.

Microphone had a path along the rails while Lyre finished strongly out wide and from well back against the pattern but they weren't able to overhaul the James Cummings-trained filly.

Check out the race below.


 

Viewers could have been forgiven for forgetting the Slipper was the feature of the day however, with Winx appearing in the George Ryder Stakes in the race prior.

The mighty mare, who was attempting to win her fourth straight edition of the race, started at $1.06 - the shortest in her illustrious career.

In what is expected to be her penultimate start, Chris Waller's mare looked as comfortable as ever, picking up a three-length win.

Hugh Bowman almost seemed to acknowledge the lack of competition in the race, sidling around the field on the turn and drawing level with the leaders around the 300m.

When Winx let down with her sprint, they simply couldn't go with her, with Dreamforce and Brutal finishing second and third respectively.

Check out the race below.


Saturday's card boasted three more Group 1 races, with Winx's heir apparent The Autumn Sun overcoming a scare to continue its winning run.

The Waller-trained colt claimed took out the Rosehill Guineas but not without a big challenge by Arrogant.

Kerrin McEvoy took the superstar to the lead at the 300m but Arrogant wouldn't go away, The Autumn Sun having to dig deep to win by a nose.

Check out the race below.


 

Earlier, James Cummings' Avilius bounced back from disappointment as the odds-on favourite in the Australian Cup a fortnight ago.

McEvoy earned himself another Group 1 win in the Ranvet Stakes as Avilius came from well back in the field to reel in English stayer He's Emminent.

Check out the race below.


 

The final Group 1 of the day, the 1100m Galaxy, was taken out by favourite Nature Strip, another Chris Waller winner.

James McDonald pushed forward on his mount, nudging out on-pace star Redzel for the lead.

Nature Strip looked home at various stages in the straight before Pierata let down on the outside, though a razor-thin photo finish eventually went the way of the leader.

Check out the race below.


 

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.