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Katsidis hoping for better Slipper luck

3 minute read

Jockey Stathi Katsidis is confident it will be second time lucky when he partners unbeaten filly Chinchilla Rose in the $3.5 million Golden Slipper.

Top Queensland jockey Stathi Katsidis is confident it will be second time lucky when he partners unbeaten filly Chinchilla Rose in the $3.5 million Golden Slipper at Rosehill on Saturday.

Katsidis vividly recalls his first and only mount in the world's richest two-year-old race when he partnered De Lollies for Clarry Conners in 2002.

"I must have been at least 50 metres behind the second-last horse," he said.

"We finished that far back I watched Scotty Seamer going past the winning post on Calaway Gal on the infield television."

De Lollies started 200-1 and finished last, more than 26 lengths behind Calaway Gal who remains Queensland's only Golden Slipper winner in the race's illustrious history.

But if Katsidis has his way, the 2007 Slipper trophy will be heading back to the Sunshine State and it will be some other unfortunate jockey who experiences the view he had five years ago.

By his own admission, Katsidis was a cocky boy from the bush with big ambitions when he moved, ever so briefly, to Sydney as Conners' stable rider in 2002.

Wind the clock forward five years and the big ambitions are still there but the cockiness has been replaced with a calculating, if somewhat wayward, persona.

"I was there on trial and I lasted 10 days, I hated Sydney, it just wasn't my cup of tea and to be perfectly honest it's still not," Katsidis said.

Katsidis' dislike for Sydney has been overshadowed by his desire to stick with Chinchilla Rose and he has based himself at Randwick to ride the Steele Ryan-trained filly trackwork every morning for the past month.

"I flew back to ride at Caloundra on Sunday and flew back to Sydney that night just to ride her slow work on Monday," he said.

Katsidis said his confidence skyrocketed on Tuesday after he rode Chinchilla Rose in her final hitout.

"She worked the best she's ever worked for me, normally she's lazy and only does what she has to but she went enormous on Tuesday," he said.

"I think she's really peaking in the past week and I can't wait to get out there."

Katsidis revealed he sought Seamer's advice after Chinchilla Rose drew awkwardly in barrier 12 on Tuesday but said his confidence was at an all-time high.

"Scotty's been there and won a Slipper, he just said to make sure I get out the best I can," Katsidis said.

"I will come out strong and there's normally horses knocking each other over early, my draw will hopefully keep me out of the scrimmages."

Latest Slipper betting from TAB Sportsbet:-

7.00 Murtajill

8.00 Zizou

9.00 Press The Button, Meurice, Forensics, Sleek Chassis

10.00 Shaft

13.00 Chinchilla Rose

15.00 Deferential

21.00 Hurried Choice

26.00 Husson Lightning, Downhill Racer, Incumbent

35.00 Cecconi, Mimi Lebrock (2nd em), Vecchia Roma

51.00 Marching (1st em), Rose Ceremony


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