Black Opal winner joins Blue Diamond star as Golden Slipper contender

Godolphin’s G1 Golden Slipper stocks have continued to rise thanks to the win of Pin Sec in Sunday’s G3 Black Opal Stakes in Canberra along with the confirmation that Blue Diamond Stakes winner Lyre will be an acceptor in the $3.5 million race.

Pin Sec bolted away to a four-length win in the Black Opal at only her second start, the prizemoney earned in her victory elevating her into position for a Slipper start.

Pin Sec’s win followed the announcement earlier on Sunday that last month’s G1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Lyre would also be going for the Golden Slipper at Rosehill on Saturday, 23 March.

Should trainer James Cummings decide to start Pin Sec in the Slipper, she would join stablemates Microphone, Tenley and Exhilarates, along with Lyre from the Anthony Freedman stable, wearing the royal blue in the world’s richest two-year-old race.

Having only her second start, Pin Sec settled comfortably in the mid-field before being produced by jockey Jason Collett at the 300m.

In the run to the line the daughter of Lonhro proved far too strong and was extending her winning margin as she reached the post, giving Godolphin it’s second successive win in the race, following the success last year of Encryption.

Stable spokesman Darren Beadman was full of praise for the filly and for the team who prepared her.

“She’s a lovely, strong, progressive filly… once she got into the open spaces she really let go,” Beadman said.

“It’s a tribute to everyone from the breakers to the stable staff, right the way through.”

The win was the 21st of the season for Godolphin’s Australian two-year-olds, with head trainer James Cummings preparing 18 of them.

“James has really got his head around the two-year-olds, the placement of them, everything.”

Freedman, meanwhile, said Lyre would travel to Sydney on Monday night.

"She will trial at Rosehill on Thursday morning. Luke Currie will retain the ride in the Slipper," the stable announced.

Only five horses have won the Blue Diamond-Golden Slipper double, the latest in 2011 being Sheikh Mohammed’s Sepoy, who is now a Darley stallion.