G1 Golden Slipper Second for Wodeton

The $5million Group I ATC Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday produced a spine tingling finish with top class colt Wodeton (2c Wootton Bassett x Fiera Vista, by Exceed and Excel) going down by the narrowest of margins in a thriller.

Trained by Chris Waller and ridden by James McDonald, Wodeton was a brilliant winner on debut at Rosehill back in January before placing in both the Group II ATC Silver Slipper and Group II ATC Todman Stakes.

Fitted with winkers for this assignment, Wodeton travelled kindly on the fence back in the field for McDonald and was able to follow the winner Marhoona through to challenge, but the Snitzel filly stuck to her guns and he just missed by a whisker.

“He went super, he’s such a good horse,” said McDonald.

Chris Waller was also happy with Wodeton, who was so brave in defeat.

"It was a great run. We took the gamble to ride him more conservatively and it almost paid off," Waller said.

"Full credit to the winner and Michael Freedman, he's done a great job.

"We're not complaining. We are very spoilt with the horses we are given to train."

Wodeton was a $1.6million Magic Millions purchase from Segenhoe Stud for Tom Magnier and was the most expensive colt from the first Australian crop of yearlings by Wootton Bassett. He runs for Coolmore and partners with his breeder Fairway Thoroughbreds retaining a share in the ownership.

Foaled and raised at Segenhoe, Wodeton is the second foal and second winner from stakes-winning Exceed and Excel mare Fiera Vista, a half-sister to Group II winner Empress Rock from the family of world champion sprinter Silent Witness.

Wootton Bassett has 17 entries for Inglis Easter.