It will be Jaffrey’s first venture to the races in Sydney and in this week’s At The Bar, the journo asks track-side veteran Michael ‘Speedy” Stratton about the best way to watch the $3.5 million two-year-old classic.

Ben: Speedy, I’m feeling pumped. I’m heading to the Golden Slipper and I’m keen as mustard to get there. Do you have any tips for me?

Speedy: Have you got plenty of money in your pocket?

Ben: I might need to borrow some of you.

Speedy: Can’t help ya there, mate. But I’ll tip you the winner of the Golden Slipper.

Ben: Hit me.

Speedy: She Will Reign.

Ben: Is that the favourite?

Speedy: She was but she got beaten on a bog the other day but take no notice of that. If it’s a firm track, I like her.

Ben: I’ve got two tips now. I got one that my old man gave me a couple weeks back, Pariah.

Speedy: Oh, yeah. I suppose. What’s its price today?

Ben: Well, I threw a couple bucks on it the other day at $34 and at $21. He’s come into $9 now.

Speedy: That’s not bad at all, he’s come in a bit. They’ve been spruiking that horse from Queensland, too.

Ben: Houtzen.

Speedy: That’s the one. She’s won four from four and will be another one in the finish.

Ben: I might have to throw a trifecta on. Have any other races caught your eye?

Speedy: Well, there’s the mighty mare. Can Winx make it 16 in a row at the George Ryder Stakes?

Ben: Definitely, there’s not a doubt in my mind.

Speedy: A few people in the Sydney papers are going for Le Romain, have you heard of him?

Ben: Yep, it beat Chautauqua a week or two ago.

Speedy: Well, it must have a chance but it’ll need to get out right now. It’ll need a couple days head start to beat Winx.

Ben: Black Heart Bart is in there as well. I’d be backing Bart for second behind Winx.

Speedy: If conditions suit, he’ll be up there.

Ben: Have you been to the Golden Slipper before?

Speedy: I was there when John Singleton’s horse won, Belle Du Jour. That was about 17 years ago.

Ben: Did you get on?

Speedy: I had a few dollars few each way. It got left at the start and then out of the corner of my eye I saw the blue and white colours coming. I’ve never seen a horse finish like that.

Ben: Where’s the best place to watch the finish at Rosehill?

Speedy: As close in line with the winning post as you can possibly get. And try and get close to the bar, too. You can either lap it up or drown you sorrows.