2020 Golden Slipper winner Farnan has sired the quinella in the feature race at Canberra, with King Of Pop and Farcited finishing first and second in the Black Opal Stakes.

King Of Pop’s win continued the dominance of colts and geldings in the Group 3 1200-metre race, becoming the 39th of his gender to claim victory since the race’s inception in 1973. Co-trainer Gerald Ryan said, “I have had him down as a Golden Slipper horse,” though he expressed uncertainty over whether the colt had earned enough prizemoney for a slot in the race.

It was a first win in the Black Opal for jockey Zac Lloyd, while Ryan claimed his fourth victory, having first won the race with Paint in 1996. Ryan added, “I think he (King Of Pop) is as good as any of them.”

King Of Pop narrowly defeated Farcited, with Sanctified finishing third. Ryan praised Sanctified’s performance, noting, “The third horse went super.”

Earlier in the day, Snow In May ($2.70) triumphed in the Listed Canberra Guineas (1400m), giving co-trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton another feature win. Tim Clark also secured his fifth Listed Canberra Cup (2000m) victory aboard Palmetto ($3.50).