Stripper Stakes Claim for Slipper

30th March 2008

David Payne’s classy filly Stripper (2f Danehill Dancer x Miss Charmer, by Zabeel) earned a shot at the Group One STC Golden Slipper on April 19 when she knuckled down to score a narrow win over Glowlamp (2f Encosta de Lago x Push a Venture, by Shirley Heights) in a thrilling finish to the Group Three AJC Sweet Embrace Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

The daughter of Danehill Dancer won her debut at Rosehill on December 15, which was the first juvenile event of the season in Sydney post EI, and has finished second twice since with a gear change of blinkers brought into play for this assignment.

Both the winning jockey Jeff Lloyd and Payne both agreed the addition of blinkers was the difference between a winning and losing performance with Stripper chasing down Glowlamp over the final stages to get the cash.

“The blinkers made her focus but wait until she gets over a mile,” said Payne.

“A mile and further is when you’ll see how good this filly is.”

Raced by John Cordina, a long time client of David Payne, Stripper was purchased by James Bester Bloodstock for $115,000 at the 2006 Inglis Select Weanling Sale.

Bred and offered for sale by Lurline Lodge, Stripper is the fifth foal of the Group Three placed Zabeel mare Miss Charmer, who comes from the family of Golden Slipper winner Belle du Jour and smart Group One winning sprinter Perfectly Ready.

Bloodstock agent James Bester is now in a unique position with the likelihood of having three runners selected and purchased by him in the Golden Slipper with Stripper to be joined by boom colt Von Costa de Hero and slick Melbourne filly Hips Don’t Lie.

“Talk about divided loyalties! Just when I was wondering whether to cheer for Von Costa de Hero or Hips Don’t Lie, along comes Stripper to join them in the Golden Slipper field. I hold an interest in Von Costa’s future and nearly 25% ownership of Hips Don’t Lie, so perhaps a dead-heat between those two, with Stripper 3rd, would be my best result?”, quipped Bester.

Stripper is the fourth Australian stakes-winner for Danehill Dancer this season joining Group One winners Arapaho Miss and Light Fantastic along with Shrewd Rhythm.

He has a dozen yearlings catalogued for the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.