The Todman Stakes Gr.2 has been a reliable guide to the $3.5million Golden Slipper Stakes Gr.1 with Pierro (2012) and Vancouver (2015) completing the double in recent years.

Vinery graduate Farnan can emulate those two champion colts after he trumped a class field in this year’s edition of the Todman Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Farnan (Not A Single Doubt) was coming off a dominant victory in the Silver Slipper Stakes Gr.2 and looked a level above his rivals again with last-start Blue Diamond Stakes Gr.1 winner Tagaloa a well-beaten runner-up.  Bookmakers immediately firmed the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained youngster into a $4.50 favourite for the Golden Slipper Gr.1 on March 21.

“He’s an exciting colt and showed his true professionalism today,” Bott said after the front-running demolition job.  “He has great barrier speed, great tactical speed and can sustain it over 1200m.”

Waterhouse trained Pierro and Vancouver and Bott believes Farnan can give the partnership its first Golden Slipper.  “He’s gone to a new level since we freshened him up after the Magic Millions.  He has come back more mature and strengthened up physically.

“The Todman has been a traditional lead-up and he needed a strong 1200m hit-out today.  He’s certainly right up there with the best colts we’ve had going in the Golden Slipper.”

The Golden Slipper has also been a successful destination for Vinery sires with More Than Ready colts Sebring (2008) & Phelan Ready (2009) and Mossman filly Mossfun (2014).

Vinery sold Farnan to Aquis Farm for $550,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Yearling Sale.  He’s a three-quarter brother to Sydney Stakes winner Sandbar (Lonhro Plate LR & Rosebud Hcp LR).  Their dam Tallow (Street Cry) won a Vanity Stakes Gr.3 at Flemington.