The 2016 Golden Slipper is less-than two weeks away and a number of leading fillies targeting the race are set to complete a final tune up at Rosehill Gardens this weekend following the release of Magic Night Stakes nominations.
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Calliope has been included in 2016 Magic Night Stakes nominations. Photo: Steve Hart
Godolphin runner Calliope was a late scratching from the Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m) last weekend after playing up at the barriers, but has been included by trainer John OâShea in 2016 Magic Night Stakes nominations alongside Palomino.
Trialling well in the lead-up to her competitive debut, Calliope immediately stamped herself as a filly to follow when charging home to win the Listed Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) by two lengths on October 3rd.
Having returned this time for a credible fifth in the Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude F (1100m) on February 13th, Calliope will be very hard to beat on Saturday.
Palomino debuted to racing for a commendable fourth in the Gsssa Winners Maiden Plate (1000m) on November 25th and was immediately returned to the paddock with a view towards the Autumn Carnival.
Having taken out a strong Warwick Farm barrier trial by close to three lengths on February 22nd, the Exceed And Excel filly was unlucky to be checked early in the Group 2 Embrace Stakes (1200m) first-up this time but ran on for a respectable sixth.
Omei Sword has only made one competitive appearance at the races so far but has proven she is a potential star for leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller, and has been included in Magic Night Stakes nominations.
Omei Sword produced a scintillating late turn of foot and savaged the line for success in the Peter Svendson Maiden (1100m) on February 24th, and is sure to be a force in the Magic Night Stakes if confirmed to be partnered by last start hoop Hugh Bowman.
David Hayes and Tom Dabernig are set to launch a two-pronged attack in the 2016 Magic Night Stakes after including both So Serene and Zamzam in nominations.
So Serene debuted to racing for second behind Extreme Choice in the Inglis Nursery (1000m) in December but clearly needed the run when eighth in the Group 3 Widden Stakes (1100m) first-up this time.
Zamzam debuted for an impressive win at Moonee Valley in late January, and while failing to fire when ninth in the Blue Diamond Prelude F, responded with a career-best performance to date for third in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) on February 27th.
The 2016 Magic Night field and barrier draw is due to be completed and released by midday, Wednesday.
2016 Magic Night Stakes Nominations
| # | Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | # | BRIDLE LANE | F | 2 | John P Thompson |
| 2 | 1 | BRULEE | F | 2 | Peter Robl |
| 3 | 1×5 | CALLIOPE | F | 2 | John O’Shea |
| 4 | # | FABVIER | F | 2 | John P Thompson |
| 5 | 2136x | FARAWAY TOWN | F | 2 | Matthew Smith |
| 6 | 175 | KENTUCKY MISS | F | 2 | Joseph Pride |
| 7 | # | LARAPINETA | F | 2 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes |
| 8 | 3 | LASQUETI SPIRIT | F | 2 | Lee Curtis |
| 9 | 1 | MERIDIAN STAR | F | 2 | Richard Laming |
| 10 | 1 | OMEI SWORD | F | 2 | Chris Waller |
| 11 | 4×6 | PALOMINO | F | 2 | John O’Shea |
| 12 | 2x | PROMPT RESPONSE | F | 2 | Gai Waterhouse |
| 13 | 28 | SO SERENE | F | 2 | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig |
| 14 | 633 | SPRIGHT | F | 2 | Garry Frazer |
| 15 | 1448 | SUGARPARMA | F | 2 | Peter Robl |
| 16 | 15 | SUPER TOO | F | 2 | Marc Conners |
| 17 | 2 | SUSPENDERS | F | 2 | Gerald Ryan |
| 18 | 10×66 | SWEET SHERRY | F | 2 | Brent Stanley |
| 19 | 513 | TALE OF CHOICE | F | 2 | Gerald Ryan |
| 20 | 40×214 | TWIST TOPS | F | 2 | Kris Lees |
| 21 | 193 | ZAMZAM | F | 2 | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig |