by Mike Curry

Sebring overcame a slow start on Saturday at Rosehill Gardens to win the $3,294,508 AAMI Golden Slipper (Aus-G1), the world’s richest race for two-year-olds.

The More Than Ready colt edged determined runner-up Von Costa De Hero by a head to give trainer Gai Waterhouse her third Golden Slipper victory. Waterhouse, who also won the Golden Slipper with Ha Ha in 2001 and Dance Hero in ’04, enjoyed a stellar day at Rosehill as Tuesday Joy posted a clear win in the $2,122,396 H. E. Tancred/BMW Classic Stakes (Aus-G1) earlier on the nine-race card.

Hong Kong-based jockey Glen Boss picked up the mount on Sebring when regular rider Blake Shinn lost his appeal of a suspension for careless riding. Sebring lost ground early due to a poor start, but the winner was able to recover and place himself in striking distance in the 1,200-meter (5.97-furlong) race on turf rated as heavy.

"He walked out [of the gate] but got into a good spot early and kept his composure," Boss told Australia’s Sun-Herald. "I didn't want to go to the inside but had no other option. He came through quick ... he is a special horse. When he steps up in distance, he is going to get better and better."

Sebring, who had not raced in seven weeks due to an infection, closed gamely in the stretch to nip Von Costa De Hero in the closing strides. He completed the distance in 1:12.88 to remain undefeated in four starts for Waterhouse, who trains Sebring for a syndicate.

"The most exciting horse I've seen for a long time," Waterhouse told the Sun-Herald after the victory. "He is simply outstanding, we have not seen the best of him. He will go to the [W. S.] Cox Plate (Aus-G1) as an older horse, I have no doubt about that."

Von Costa De Hero was 1 3/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher Portillo.

Boss previously won the Golden Slipper aboard Flying Spur in 1995 as a last-minute replacement.

Sebring is out of the Flying Spur mare Purespeed.

Tuesday Joy split horses in the stretch and accelerated clear to a 1 1/2-length victory over familiar foe Princess Coup in the BMW Classic.

Tuesday Joy, who entered off a win against Princess Coup in the Ranvet Stakes (Aus-G1) on April 5, completed 2,400 meters (11.93 furlongs) in 2:35.81 to earn her third Group 1 victory. Jockey Darren Beadman has been aboard for each of Tuesday’s Joy’s Group 1 victories, his only three races on the Carnegie (Ire) mare.

A half sister to 2003 AJC Australian Oaks (Aus-G1) winner Sunday Joy, Tuesday Joy is out of Group 1 winner Joie Denise, by Danehill.

Mike Curry is Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor