Exciting filly Tulip has continued her impressive career start with a smart win in the Group 2 Magic Night Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon.
Tulip was too good for her rivals in the Group 2 Magic Night Stakes this afternoon. Photo: Steve Hart
Tulip ran on for an impressive fourth in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at her most recent start and did her chances of a return to winning form no harm this afternoon when jumping well and taking an ideal position in transit on the heels of early leaders Limbo Soul, Pellegrina and Alizee.
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy peeled Tulip to the outside of the leading bunch rounding into the final straight, but allowed the filly plenty of time to settle before mounting a late attack.
It appeared as though Godolphin filly Alizee would just be too strong to the line, but Tulipâs class shone through in the final 150m and she powered to the line to record an impressive one-length win.
McEvoy was pleased with the performance mustered by Tulip to win the Magic Night Stakes and believes that she will only improve into next weekendâs featured 2017 Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m).
âThe Blue Diamond is probably the strongest contest that weâve had, I feel, in the two-year-old races so far, and sheâs come here and done that quite nicely,â McEvoy said after the race.
âI was trapped a little bit on the edge of the group, but she handled herself perfectly at this way of going given that it was her first run this way.
âI always thought that I was the winner once I had Alizee in my sights, and I was able to do it.â
Tulip debuted to racing for a smart win in the 1Print Plate (1000m) at Moonee Valley on New Yearâs Eve and finished second behind Limestone in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview F (1000m) in what was her only other start prior to the Blue Diamond Stakes.
Punters who backed Tulip to win the Magic Night Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au have been paid out on generous $5 odds!
2017 Magic Night Stakes Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | TULIP | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Kerrin McEvoy | – | 11 | 55.5kg | $4.60 |
| 2 | 14 | ALIZEE | John O’Shea | William Buick | 1.8L | 4 | 55.5kg | $7 |
| 3 | 6 | MEMENTO | Anthony & Edward Cummings | Sam Clipperton | 4.3L | 15 | 55.5kg | $41 |
| 4 | 3 | SWEET DEAL | John P Thompson | Tye Angland | 4.4L | 1 | 55.5kg | $4.80 |
| 5 | 4 | LIMBO SOUL | Tim Martin | Tim Clark | 4.5L | 3 | 55.5kg | $3F |
| 6 | 15 | LA CHICA ROSA | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 5.9L | 12 | 55.5kg | $13 |
| 7 | 13 | SMOOTH LANDING | John P Thompson | Joshua Parr | 6L | 14 | 55.5kg | $41 |
| 8 | 7 | MELIBOEA | John P Thompson | Jay Ford | 6.9L | 16 | 55.5kg | $101 |
| 9 | 11 | GREATER GOOD | John P Thompson | Christian Reith | 7.8L | 13 | 55.5kg | $101 |
| 10 | 10 | COULD YOU BE LOVED | Tim Martin | Chad Lever | 8L | 10 | 55.5kg | $151 |
| 11 | 8 | TORVILL | Clarry Conners | Glyn Schofield | 8.2L | 8 | 55.5kg | $15 |
| 12 | 17e | SEABABE | Gary Portelli | Ms Winona Costin | 8.6L | 2 | 55.5kg | $151 |
| 13 | 2 | EXCEEDS | James Cummings | Blake Shinn | 9.8L | 7 | 55.5kg | $26 |
| 14 | 16 | PELLEGRINA | John P Thompson | Daniel Moor | 10.6L | 6 | 55.5kg | $101 |
| 15 | 5 | DELAGO THUNDER | David Payne | Ms Kathy O’Hara | 12.6L | 9 | 55.5kg | $201 |
| 16 | 12 | FIFTH AFFAIR | Garry White | Andrew Adkins (a) | 22.5L | 5 | 55.5kg | $151 |