John O'Shea launches a four-strong assault in the Group One Tooheys New Golden Slipper Stakes with Exosphere, Furnaces, Haptic and Ottoman running in the six-furlong AUS$3.5-million contest at Rosehill Gardens, Australia, on Saturday, March 21.
Time/Date - 16.30hrs local time/Saturday, March 21, 2015
Racecourse/Country - Rosehill Gardens/Australia
Surface/Distance - Turf/6f
John O'Shea launches a four-strong assault in the Group One Tooheys New Golden Slipper Stakes with Exosphere, Furnaces, Haptic and Ottoman running in the six-furlong AUS$3.5-million contest at Rosehill Gardens, Australia, on Saturday, March 21.
Exosphere (James McDonald) has posted a pair of facile wins on his two most recent starts, including a four-length success under a hands-and-heels ride in the Group Two Pro-Ride Skyline Stakes over six furlongs at Warwick Farm on February 28.
The two-year-old Lonhro colt stormed to another decisive victory in a five-furlong maiden at Kembla Grange on February 14.
Furnaces (Hugh Bowman) was a clear second to unbeaten Vancouver in the six-furlong Group Two UNSW Todman Stakes at Royal Randwick on March 7 and filled the same position behind stable companion Haptic at the same course in a Listed race over half a furlong shorter on February 14.
The son of Exceed And Excel made an impressive debut at Rosehill Gardens on October 25 when scoring by six and a half lengths in a conditions race.
Unbeaten Haptic (James Doyle), who is also by Exceed And Excel, makes his first start since comfortably beating Furnaces on February 14.
He also made a winning start to his career with a half-length victory in a five-furlong maiden, also at Royal Randwick, on January 24.
Exceed And Excel filly Ottoman (William Buick) finished well to take second behind English in the Group Two Guinness Reisling Stakes at Royal Randwick on March 7.
She had two starts at Rosehill Gardens, coming home fourth in the Group Two Blackwoods Uvex Silver Slipper Stakes on February 21 and winning a maiden on December 20.
John O'Shea commented: "Exosphere is our best chance in this race and he will start from gate eight. There looks to be genuine speed and he can just sit three or four pairs with a bit of cover which allow him to keep an eye on the favourite Vancouver. With his good turn of foot, he should be in the finish.
"Furnaces has come to a nice peak and has had a really good fortnight coming into this race. From gate one, he should get a beautiful run and get the opportunity to turn the tables on the favourite this week.
"Haptic is coming into this race off a recent barrier trial - he has really enjoyed having his runs spaced and goes into this race on fresh legs. From gate three, he should be able to roll forward and dictate the race. There is no reason why he won't be competitive as well.
"Ottoman could achieve a surprise result. William should have her in a beautiful position from gate six. She is coming to a nice peak and following her strong second in the Reisling Stakes, I wouldn't be surprised to see her in the finish."
The Godolphin quartet meet 12 other juveniles including Vancouver, English, debut Listed winner Ready For Victory and Todman Stakes third Headwater, plus Reemah and Lake Geneva, who were second and third in the Group One Blue Diamond Stakes.
