Dublin Down Books 2024 Golden Slipper Berth with Pago Pago Victory

Dublin Down punched his ticket to the Golden Slipper Stakes in upset fashion, conquering the final ballot exemption race – the Group 2 Pago Pago Stakesat Rosehill.

The Exceedance colt, trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, arrived in Sydney after a decent showing in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield, where he finished 12th.

Fitter for his second run, he thrived in this drop in class and his first race outside of Melbourne.

Ridden by Tim Clark, Dublin Down displayed impressive determination, leading the charge for most of the race.

Starting strong, Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott‘s widely-drawn contender Anode challenged for the lead early, but Clark guided Dublin Down into first place before the first turn.

Maintaining a solid pace, Dublin Down dominated the race, crossing the finish line with authority as a 20/1 outsider in betting.

 “That was very impressive,” co-trainer Calvin McEvoy told Sky Thoroughbred Central.

“We know he’s a really good colt, he’s a Group-winning colt.

“But the way Tim (Clark) rode him, he rode him positive, blinkers on first time.

“We didn’t really think he’d have the speed to do that but he took control of the race.”

Anode held on for a respectable second, while Coleman edged out the pre-race favourite Gatsby’s for third place.

This victory earns Dublin Down a guaranteed spot in the Golden Slipper field, pending his connections’ decision.

His all-in odds at Ladbrokes have undergone a dramatic shift, plummeting from 100/1 to $51 following his impressive Pago Pago win.

The Pago Pago Stakes victory opens up the possibility of a repeat of last year’s feat, where Shinzo achieved the prestigious Pago Pago Stakes – Golden Slipper double.

The last colt to achieve this accomplishment before Shinzo was Stratum in 2005.

The McEvoy stable might boast two contenders in the Golden Slipper, with stablemate Rue De Royale still in the mix at 100/1 odds.

If not the Golden Slipper for Dublin Down, the Group 1 $1 million Inglis Sires’ (1400m) at Randwick on April 6 remains an option.

“We will see,” McEvoy said.

“We weren’t sure whether he was more of a Sires’ (Produce Stakes) horse, so we will keep all of the options open.

“But he’s up here, he’s earned his way into the Slipper so we will give it great consideration.”

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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