Godolphin filly Calliope has confirmed herself as 2016 Golden Slipper starter after overcoming a poor jump to win the Group 2 Magic Night Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon.
Calliope produced a slick turn of foot to win the 2016 Magic Night Stakes. Photo: Steve Hart
Calliope was backed heavily in the hours leading up to jump in the Magic Night Stakes but appeared all but out of contention from the outset when standing in the gates and allowing all her rivals a start.
Recovering to settle mid-field on the fence approaching the bend, jockey James McDonald peeled Calliope out upon arriving at the final straight; the filly responding with a huge turn of foot to pull clear and maintain a strong enough sprint to find the line ahead of a fast-finishing Omei Sword.
Trainer John O’Shea was pleased Calliope was able to overcome her poor start to win the Magic Night Stakes and is confident she is one of Godolphin’s leading chances in the Golden Slipper.
“She’s a talented filly,” O’Shea said.
“She was entitled to knock up a little because they really hummed and she hadn’t had a run for five weeks.
“I think she just need repetition and hopefully that’s blown out a few cobwebs and that will get her execution right going forward.
“I think she’ll be benefitted from that and I think she’s earned her place in the race (Golden Slipper). She’s always been a talent.”
McDonald was pleased with the feel offered up by the filly after her lacklustre start, but revealed he was disappointed she was a late scratching from last weekend’s Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m).
“She would have done that to last week’s field which is a bit of a shame she didn’t run, but she’s going to have to back-up into the Slipper now,” McDonald said after dismounting.
“She travelled beautifully and probably hit the front far too soon, but it was a really good effort to hold on.”
In being crowned the Magic Night Stakes winner, Calliope has now posted an impressive two wins through only three career starts.
2016 Magic Night Stakes Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | CALLIOPE | John O’Shea | James McDonald | – | 2 | 55.5kg | $3F |
| 2 | 8 | OMEI SWORD | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 0.2L | 4 | 55.5kg | $5.50 |
| 3 | 1 | TWIST TOPS | Kris Lees | Corey Brown | 1.5L | 6 | 55.5kg | $16 |
| 4 | 5 | PROMPT RESPONSE | Gai Waterhouse | Kerrin McEvoy | 2.1L | 1 | 55.5kg | $3.90 |
| 5 | 3 | FARAWAY TOWN | Matthew Smith | Jay Ford | 2.8L | 7 | 55.5kg | $21 |
| 6 | 4 | KENTUCKY MISS | Joseph Pride | Tim Clark | 3.4L | 5 | 55.5kg | $15 |
| 7 | 11 | BRULEE | Peter Robl | Glyn Schofield | 3.6L | 10 | 55.5kg | $51 |
| 8 | 12 | SUSPENDERS | Gerald Ryan | Christian Reith | 3.8L | 11 | 55.5kg | $26 |
| 9 | 16 | LARAPINETA | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 4.6L | 8 | 55.5kg | $12 |
| 10 | 15 | FABVIER | John P Thompson | Brett Prebble | 6.5L | 9 | 55.5kg | $151 |
| 11 | 14 | BRIDLE LANE | John P Thompson | Tye Angland | 9.2L | 3 | 55.5kg | $101 |
| 12 | 6 | SUPER TOO | Marc Conners | Ms Winona Costin (a) | 13.3L | 12 | 55.5kg | $41 |
| 13 | 10 | MERIDIAN STAR | Richard Laming | Ms Jackie Beriman | 17.8L | 13 | 55.5kg | $26 |
