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Hips Don’t Lie on Path to Golden Slipper 7 Apr 2008
Saturday proved a successful day for Trelawney graduate Hips Don’t Lie (NZ) (Stravinsky) with a hard fought victory in the Group Two Reisling Stakes (1200m) signalling she will be one of the fillies to beat in the world’s richest two-year-old race, the Golden Slipper (1200m) in just under two weeks time.

Trained by David Hayes and ridden to perfection by stable jockey Craig Williams, Hips Don’t Lie took advantage of drawing barrier four and settled nicely on the rails just in behind the leaders for Williams. When asked to sprint in the run home, the filly knuckled down and kept fighting on the inside to win by a head over race leader Anatomica (Aus) (Choisir) with a further half head back to third placed Love and Kisses (Aus) (Encosta de Lago). “She did everything right and was very, very game,” said trainer David Hayes after the race. “She deserves her spot in the Golden Slipper,” he said.

After an impressive win on debut back in October, Hips Don’t Lie backed that up with a win in the Listed VRC Herald Sun Sprint (1000m) and came back after a short spell to take out the Listed VRC Talindert Stakes (1100m) first up in February. A tilt at the Group One Blue Diamond (1200m) resulted in an unlucky sixth whilst at her last start on the 23rd of March, she finished second in the Group Two Silver Slipper Stakes (1200m).

Sold by Trelawney Stud at Karaka 2007, Hips Don’t Lie was purchased by bloodstock agent James Bester for $200,000. “She was a nice filly from day one,” said Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud. “She has turned into a classy filly on the track and has raced at blacktype level in all but her first start,” he said. “It’s certainly exciting to have a leading Golden Slipper contender, especially given that New Zealand bred runners are few and far between in the race,” said Brent. “We will definitely be there to cheer her on!”

Saturday’s win has seen Hips Don’t Lie shorten to $13 on fixed odds for the Golden Slipper ahead of Blue Diamond-winner and stablemate Reean (Aus) (Hussonet). The race favourite is All American (Aus) (Red Ransom) at $7 and also a member of the David Hayes stable.