Magic Night Stakes

Winners and Past Results

One of the major features of the autumn racing carnival in Sydney is the Group 2 Magic Night Stakes hosted by Australian Turf Club. The race is held under set weight conditions with two year old fillies travelling over a distance of 1200 metres at Rosehill Racecourse for a chance to take home a purse of $150,000. Free $250 Bet

The race usually fields a mixed bag, making it all the more difficult to spot a winner. However, there are a number of lead up races that may serve as a reliable form guide. Trainers usually put their best two year old fillies into the race since the winner is exempt from ballot for the Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes run over 1200 metres, a week later. However, the race hasn't been particularly a good form guide for the Golden Slipper in recent years. The male equivalent of the Magic Night Stakes held on the same day is the Group 2 Pago Pago Stakes for colts & geldings, while the major event of the day is the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas.

Among the lead up races from which horses may make their way to the Magic Night Stakes are the 1100 M Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes held earlier in March at the same track and the 1200 M Group 3 Sweet Embrace Stakes also held a few weeks earlier at Randwick Racecourse. Victory Vein won the Sweet Embrace Stakes before lifting the Magic Night Stakes in 2002.

In recent times, the race has produced a few placegetters in the Golden Slipper. After winning the 2005 Magic Night Stakes, Media went on to finish third in the Slipper. Portillo followed suit in 2008. The 1200 M Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes held on Super Saturday at Flemington Races may also prove a handy form guide. Horses may make their way after an outing in the Group 2 Sires' Produce Stakes over 1400 metres at Flemington earlier in March.

The Magic Night Stakes was first run as a principal race in1975 and remained so until 1979 when it was elevated to Group 3. The race became a Group 2 event in 1987 and has since had some of the classiest two year old fillies compete for a direct spot in the Golden Slipper.

2012 Magic Night Stakes

A lot has been said about Ichihara and the filly showed why she is so highly regarded with a hard fought win in this Group 2 feature over 1200 metres. Ichihara raced near the speed from the start of the race and looked comfortable in playing the role of front runner. At the top of the straight, she had opened up a sizeable lead and looked set to record an easy victory but Cavalry Rose turned on a big finish, eating up the lead all the time, but Ichihara was able to stick it out, winning by a half head over Cavalry Rose with Flying Snitzel, trying hard to the last, finishing third.   

2012 Magic Night Stakes result

1. Ichihara
2. Cavalry Rose
3. Flying Snitzel

Then came:

4. Doubtfilly
5. Later Gator
6. She’s A Fox
7. Catkins
8. Varanasi
9. Omniscient
10. Coins
11. Mrs Gray
12. Kyria
13. Valerio