Volkstok'n'barrell (left) contests the Rosehill Guineas today. Photo / Dean Purcell
With the exception of a one-act pony Melbourne Cup, it doesn't get better than Rosehill today.
Not only sheer class, but international class over all distances will present one of the great modern day racedays.
And you are not even close to being out of play if you are one of those who does not rate the Golden Slipper as one of your great attractions.
This afternoon's Slipper will only ever be a dash-for-cash and virtually impossible to speed map and predict, yet it will always remain a must-watch.
The first appearance of the high class Japanese runners will be making many hold their breath today as they take on the top class locals and then massive talents of Kiwis Mongolian Khan, Rising Romance, Silent Achiever and Volkstok'n'barrell.
Silent Achiever is going for back-to-back wins in the Ranvet Stakes.
She is approaching her best form, but there are warning signs on the radar this time.
Tommy Berry made a special trip to the Canterbury quarantine station on Tuesday morning to ride Japanese visitor Tosen Stardom and came away wide-mouthed. Berry described Tosen Stardom as possibly the best he's ridden.
Japanese horses are regarded as equal to the world's best. They race differently at home compared to most racing countries, so it is always best to evaluate them after their first foreign run, but if Berry's opinion is even close to the mark, the price may be gone after today's appearance.
The $2.25 Ranvet favourite is former international Contributor with Silent Achiever at $5.
Australian punters are all over their two top runners Hallowed Crown and Sweynesse in the Rosehill Guineas, but there is a suspicion our pair Mongolian Khan and Volkstok'n'barrell have at least a chance of being at a slightly higher level of ability. There are no cross references and only this afternoon's match-up will provide an answer.
Craig Williams has landed the Volkstok'n'barrell ride and we are going to suggest the combination is not a bad risk at $4.50. Mongolian Khan is at $4.20.
Barrier No 18 is a horror show in any major race, but remarkably you can win Golden Slippers from anywhere.
So Vancouver cannot be counted out because of his draw. He is a beast of a colt and the strength he showed running through the line in his last Sydney win suggests he is still very tough to beat.
He is unquestionably the best horse.
The theory that the current crop of three-year-olds is the best in two decades will be tested this weekend when two of the most promising step up to weight-for-age company for the first time.
Shooting To Win and Kermadec will take their place in the George Ryder Stakes - a race which will also mark the Australian debuts of Japanese pair World Ace and Real Impact.
Beaten as favourite at his past two starts, Shooting To Win has stretched the patience of punters but trainer Peter Snowden's belief hasn't wavered. He expects the colt to repay that faith at Rosehill.
"I don't want to talk my horse up, I want him to do the talking," Snowden said. "I'll just sit on the fence and watch Saturday."
The team from Wentwood Grange in Cambridge will be watching today's Golden Slipper meeting at Rosehill with great interest.
"Four of the 19 New Zealand-bred runners are from Wentwood," said Dean Hawkins, who along with his parents Des and Jan and brother Sean run the boutique breeding operation.
Kermadec is a favoured runner in the George Ryder Stakes, Tiger Tees is attempting back-to-back wins in the Galaxy and Intimate Moment (Epona Stakes) and Tremec (Manion Cup) are also in action.
"We strive to produce racehorses so it's a huge achievement for us and a great result for our clients," he said.
Win or lose, Canberra trainer Nick Olive plans to soak up the experience of having a runner in the world's richest race for two-year-olds. Connections of Single Gaze paid a A$150,000 late entry fee to secure the filly a spot in today's A$3.5 million race at Rosehill. Single Gaze came up with a wide barrier at Tuesday's draw and is at $51.
A selection of New Zealand's leading jockeys offer their best rides for the weekend and, where applicable, last week's result.
Opie Bosson: Mongolian Khan - Rosehill (R5). (Waikaha - 1st).
Matt Cameron: Gesemi - Tauranga (R9). (Wills Road - 3rd).
Sam Collett: Why Wait - Riccarton (R2). (Fortune Road - 3rd).
Mark Du Plessis: Queens Rose - Tauranga (R8). (Antonio - 3rd).
Craig Grylls: Recite - Tauranga (R7). (Saavoya - unplaced).
Chris Johnson: My Chino - Riccarton (R9). (Querer - 3rd).
Lee Magorrian: Santiago - Tauranga (R9). (Take It Out - 4th).
Rosie Myers: Madam Victoria - Riccarton (R9). (Mae West - 4th).
Johnathon Parkes: Kawi - Tauranga (R7). (Gwynethanne - unplaced).
Sam Spratt: Julinsky Prince - Tauranga (R7). (Sports Illustrated - 3rd.
- Additional reporting NZ Racing Desk