The countdown to Australia’s richest two-year-old race is almost over. On Saturday, March 21, 2026, Rosehill Gardens will host the 70th edition of the $5 million TAB Golden Slipper.
With final acceptances locked in and a highly competitive 16-horse field taking shape, the makeup of this year’s Slipper has been nothing short of dramatic. From massive late entry fees to brilliant lead-up performances, here is a detailed breakdown of the likely field, the form lines, and the incredible storylines heading into this weekend.
The $450,000 Late Entry Splash
In a massive show of confidence from connections, three horses had the $150,000 late entry fee paid by Monday’s deadline, effectively reshaping the final field and bumping out several fringe contenders. Australian Turf Club officials noted it is incredibly rare to see three runners paid up this late, highlighting the sheer depth and evenness of the 2026 crop.
The three late additions are:
- Pembrey (Filly): Trained by Tony Gollan, this filly earned her spot the hard way, winning the Magic Night Stakes just last Saturday. She pulled up brilliantly, prompting connections to roll the dice. Hong Kong superstar Zac Purton is heavily rumored to be taking the ride.
- Closer To Free (Colt): Danny O’Brien’s colt ran a phenomenal second in the Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield. That run served as the perfect Slipper trial, and he has thrived since.
- Music Time (Gelding): The only gelding in the 16-horse field. Trainer Gratz Vella convinced the owners to pay the late fee after the horse emerged from a tough, gritty victory in the Black Opal Stakes in superb order.
Note: The inclusion of these three means that hopefuls like Agrarian Girl, Medicinal, and By Choice have narrowly missed the final 16.
The Field Composition
As it stands, the 2026 Golden Slipper field will feature a fascinating mix of 10 colts, 5 fillies, and 1 gelding. Based on the final order of entry and acceptances, here is the likely 16-horse field taking their place at the barriers this Saturday: Here is the field and each horses current rating, plus their last 5 starts
| Horse | Sex | Trainer | Jockey (Expected) | Current Rating | Last Start | 2nd Last | 3rd Last | 4th Last | 5th Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paradoxium | Colt | Bjorn Baker | Jason Collett | 32.64 | 32.64 | 20.09 | 15.34 | ||
| Chayan | Filly | Annabel & Rob Archibald | Craig Williams | 38.41 | 38.38 | 38.41 | 34.32 | ||
| Warwoven | Colt | Bjorn Baker | Rachel King | 38.51 | 38.51 | 29.18 | 17.89 | ||
| Streisand | Filly | Clinton McDonald | Ben Melham | 38.92 | 40.86 | 36.98 | 30.05 | 17.27 | 15.59 |
| Stretan Ruler | Colt | Phillip Stokes | Chad Schofield | 38.52 | 31.61 | 38.52 | 33.77 | ||
| Guest House | Colt | Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | Zac Lloyd | 40.22 | 40.22 | 34.32 | |||
| Pembrey | Filly | Tony Gollan | Zac Purton | 35.87 | 35.87 | 28.98 | |||
| Closer To Free | Colt | Danny O’Brien | Jamie Melham | 40.45 | 40.45 | 35.18 | |||
| Campione D’Italia | Colt | Chris Waller | Damian Lane | 38.91 | 38.91 | 27.64 | |||
| Spicy Miss | Filly | Ciaron Maher | Craig Newitt | 37.15 | 37.15 | 34.33 | 16.73 | ||
| Zambales | Colt | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Nash Rawiller | 38.05 | 36.01 | 40.09 | 34.34 | 32.72 | |
| Hidrix | Colt | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 33.61 | 28.67 | 33.61 | |||
| Shiki | Filly | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Regan Bayliss | 33.02 | 34.12 | 29.27 | 31.93 | 15.98 | 15.99 |
| Tornado Valley | Colt | Ciaron Maher | TBC | 30.82 | 29.99 | 31.65 | 16.98 | 15.73 | |
| Fireball | Colt | Chris Waller | TBC | 37.72 | 37.72 | 33.49 | |||
| Music Time | Gelding | Gratz Vella | Pierre Boudvillain | 32.80 | 22.97 | 32.12 | 32.80 |
The Top Contenders & Lead-Up Winners
If you are looking for the form horses, the traditional lead-up races have provided plenty of fireworks this autumn:
Paradoxium (Colt – Trainer: Bjorn Baker)
The current Golden Slipper favourite stamps his authority after a cruisy, dominant win in the Group 2 Todman Stakes. Ridden by Jason Collett, this Extreme Choice colt has an incredible backstory—he suffered a severe bout of travel sickness earlier in his campaign while in Queensland, which nearly derailed his season. His bounce-back victory in the Todman proved he has the elite speed and toughness required for a Slipper.
Streisand (Filly – Trainer: Clinton McDonald)
The girls have a massive chance this year thanks to Streisand. She proved race experience matters when she caused an upset in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes ($11) down at Caulfield, powerfully splitting the leaders under jockey Ben Melham to beat the boys.
Stretan Ruler (Colt – Trainer: Phillip Stokes)
The Silver Slipper winner proved he is right on track by running a strong second behind Paradoxium in the Todman Stakes. He has the tactical speed to put himself in the race and will be peaking on Saturday.
Chayan (Filly – Trainer: Annabel & Rob Archibald)
A classy filly who secured her Golden Slipper option by taking out the Group 2 Reisling Stakes. She brings excellent fillies’ form to the table.
Campione D’Italia (Colt – Trainer: Chris Waller)
You can never count out Sydney’s 15-time premiership-winning trainer. Chris Waller will send out Campione D’Italia, who comes into the race off the back of an upset victory in the Skyline Stakes.
Spicy Miss (Filly – Trainer: Ciaron Maher)
Firmed significantly in Slipper betting after taking out the Sweet Embrace Stakes.
Shiki (Filly – Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott)
Representing Kurrinda Bloodstock, the early-season Gimcrack Stakes winner has had her path to the Slipper meticulously planned, and jockey Regan Bayliss is officially locked in for the ride.
Track Conditions & Tactics
The Rosehill Gardens track staff have been closely monitoring the weather, and Australian Turf Club’s General Manager of Racecourses, Michael Wood, has confirmed a crucial detail for punters: The inside rail will be moved out 2 metres for Slipper Day. Because the track raced so tightly and held up beautifully during the Coolmore Classic meeting last weekend, moving the rail out slightly ensures the two-year-olds will be racing on fresh, clean ground. With the rail out slightly and a highly competitive pace expected, barrier draws (announced Tuesday) will be absolutely vital.
The Verdict
The 2026 Golden Slipper is shaping up to be a classic “Boys vs. Girls” battle. The colts are headlined by the sheer speed of Todman winner Paradoxium and Blue Diamond runner-up Closer To Free, while the fillies boast absolute quality in Blue Diamond winner Streisand and the late-surging Magic Night winner Pembrey. Throw in the lone gelding, Music Time, and we have a race for the ages.
Who is your pick for the $5 million prize?
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