Race Result:

1st: Steel City (C Maher & D Eustace/R Bayliss) - $3F
2nd: Blanc De Blanc (M Freedman/J McDonald) - $3.60
3rd: August Bloom (P&P Snowden/T Sherry) - $15

Winning Time: 1:10.08 Last 600m: 34.57

Margins: 2¾L x Long Neck

"Steel City's getting stronger!"

A dominant display from Steel City in the Group 3 Magic Night Stakes.

Onwards to the Golden Slipper. @Reganbayliss @cmaherracing pic.twitter.com/VZclBTEUmi

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 11, 2023

 

Winning Trainer: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace (Ciaron Maher speaking)

On taking up the lead: "Don't let them cross just for the sake of letting them cross. The first furlong I think she ran a sub 11 (seconds) I thought 'we might be going a bit hot here.' But he pulled her back, I think she was 11.5 (seconds) the next furlong, she looked like she was traveling well."

"Last time she ran here I just thought that last furlong she just lacked that bit of focus. I was hoping that would happen last start (in the Blue Diamond) but anyway we'll take it today. We'll see how she pulls up and as you know we'll have a look at next week (Golden Slipper) and the owners can dare to dream."

On maybe booking Regan Bayliss for the Slipper ride: "He didn't do much wrong there so we'll have to have a look at Regan for sure."

On striking bad luck in the Blue Diamond: "That happens sometimes in racing so hopefully it was all for the better and she pulls up well and we can make amends next week."

"She's won really well here today, she's really at home here in New South Wales, she's spent a lot of her time here. She's settled back into the routine, the team have done a good job with her.. Even after the run it was a big occasion for a two-year-old filly to run in a Diamond."

"Even though it looked like she didn't extend herself, it still takes a fair bit out of them so really managed her recovery and got her back up here. It was just about keeping her happy and we didn't really have to do any work with her, it was just about presenting for today and giving her an opportunity."

Winning Jockey: Regan Bayliss

On the horse: "She's just the ultimate professional. She's not overly big, but gee she's got a good motor on her. Blinkers have really switched her on. Didn't get to see that last start but she was electric today, bounced out well and was always sitting in their hands and exploded when I asked her."

On leading: "If they were going too quick I would've been happy to drop in. But she was there so easy with her ears pricked, so just kept her in a nice rhythm. Gave her a little breather down the circle and she was really good."

On to the Slipper next week?: "Absolutely!"

Beaten Jockeys:

James McDonald (Blanc De Blanc): "She has gone really well again. She's a hard luck story."

Jay Ford (Fire Lane): "I didn't have much luck from the gate."

Tim Clark (Remedies): "She ran well. Probably a query at the 1200m."

Brett Prebble (Tu Qui Santuzza): "Lovely filly. Probably come to the end of her prep."

Reece Jones (Shine Your Light): "She ran super. Bounced out well, had a nice comfortable run behind the leader, raced in restricted room down the running and probably resented it but She ran well."

Tom Sherry (August Bloom): "Beautiful filly. She has been really consistent all this prep. Will be a lovely horse in 3 to 6 months time."

Kerrin McEvoy (Bianco Nero): "Nice filly. She will improve from the first run and then next prep."

Michael Dee (Pretty Rho): "Just does too much wrong at this stage."

Ryan Maloney (Untouchable Legend): "She had to do a bit of work to get outside the leader. Was probably just found wanting late. A 3yo and a sit and she will be a nice horse."

Brock Ryan (Hellbent On You): "Lovely horse but six months away."

William Pike (Kimmela): "Probably didn't handle it."