In recent years, the Group II ATC Silver Slipper (1100m) has proven a valuable guide to the Golden Slipper with the race run at Rosehill on Saturday being won by expensive I Am Invincible colt Home Affairs carrying the Coolmore navy blue.
Having just his second race start following a close second on debut in the Group III ATC Canonbury Stakes last month, Home Affairs was fitter and wiser for that experience.
Turned out in great order by Chris Waller, Home Affairs went forward for James McDonald from gate one to race on the pace and was strong to the line winning by a short neck over the country juvenile Rocket Tiger, who ran the race of his life for second.
"He's a beautiful colt. He's got killer looks and he's got good ability with it," McDonald said.
"He should be probably unbeaten to be fair. He was left a sitting shot and just needed the run on that soft ground last start.
"He is still learning his craft so he is very green, still raw and I think once he puts it all together he'll be a goodie."
"We had to use him up a bit early, which wasn't ideal, but at the same time it's a ticket into the Golden Slipper and an important stepping stone for a horse like him with his pedigree," said Chris Waller, who believes the colt will need another run before his grand final in the Group I Golden Slipper on March 20.
An $875,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Tom Magnier from the Torryburn Stud draft, Home Affairs runs for a big syndicate headed by Coolmore and various partners and has already won over $170,000 in prizemoney.
A half-brother to Group I placed Aysar, Home Affairs was bred by Torryburn Stud and is the second winner from Miss Interiors, a winning half-sister by Flying Spur to dual Group I winner and sire Russian Revolution and Group III winner Turbo Miss.
Torryburn Stud will offer the current yearling from Miss Interiors, a colt by Capitalist, at Inglis Easter as Lot 428.
Miss Interiors has a colt foal by Dundeel and was covered by him again last spring.
Home Affairs is the 63rd stakes-winner for Yarraman Park’s champion sire I Am Invincible.
