I'll leave the analysis of form, ratings, barriers, trainer %'s, track bias, weight differentiators between fillies and colts ... and everything else ... to the mainstream media.

Instead I will point any would-be researchers to the comprehensive history of the Slipper at the following site. Racenet also provide a Golden Slipper history page as do AAP.

It's going to be a capacity crowd on the day. In terms of dining packages at Rosehill Gardens, the following are already sold out: Winning Post Restaurant, TJ's, Champagne Bar, Slipper Pavilion, Open Terraces, Private Suites, Ascot Club, Infield Marquee, VIP Celebrity Marquee, Corporate Marquees, Village Pagodas, Lawn Marquee Suites, The Lonhro Lawn, Trackside Marquee Suites and the Balcony Suite.

For those who are just looking for some simple facts - well, here are just a few for you:

The X or Y chromosome

The split between colts and fillies -

Colts: 9
Fillies: 7

It's all in the genes

Sire stats for the runners -

Redoute's Choice: 6 runners
Fusaichi Pegasus: 3
Iglesia: 1
Red Ransom: 1
Rory's Jester: 1
Gilded Time: 1
Encosta de Lago: 1
Snippets: 1
More than Ready: 1

Strength in numbers

Trainer of the highest number of entries -

Gai Waterhouse: 3 runners
John Hawkes: 2

Most media mentions

An exact number is difficult to provide but Seidnazar and Blizzardly have approximately 23 individual mentions across all media in recent weeks whilst at the other end of the scale Written Tycoon, Stratum and Snitzel have attracted the most attention with upwards of 120 individual mentions.

All that glitters is (actually) gold

Best record going into the event: Fashions Afield (3 starts - 3 wins)

Hardly disgraced in the 'achievements' category however ... Snitzel, Written Tycoon, Domesday, Al Samer, Flying Pegasus, Opportunity and Blizzardly.

First trainer to produce a Slipper trifecta

Gai Waterhouse: Ha Ha, Excellerator and Red Hannigan in 2001

And for the record

No Slipper winner since Bint Marscay in 1993 has had their first start after Christmas and gone on to Slipper success. This statistic, of course, raises a question mark over Fashions Afield. But then again ... there is always a first time for everything ....