Golden Slipper An Option For Speak Fondly After Magic Night Stakes Win

Speak Fondly could contest the 2015 Golden Slipper next weekend after she held-off a number of fast-finishing rivals to take out the 2015 Magic Night Stakes at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon.

Speak Fondly held-off a host of challengers to score a brave win in the Magic Night Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart

Speak Fondly held-off a host of challengers to score a brave win in the Magic Night Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart

Jockey Tommy Berry pushed forward on Speak Fondly in the early stages of the race, but she was kept wide and was caught three wide at the 1000 metre mark.

Speak Fondly responded well when asked for an extra effort at the 300 metre mark to hit the line and she held on bravely in the final stages of the Magic Night Stakes to score a tough win from Perignon and Italy.

Trainer Gai Waterhouse already has one of the leading contenders for the Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) in the form of Todman Stakes winner Vancouver, but the leading trainer said she is open to having another runner in the Group 1 event.

“I will ask Monica and see if she wants to start her next week,” Waterhouse said.

“She has spring form, she was third in the Gimcrack and is now a winner of the Group 2 race today.

“She is a very special filly and if (she does not run in the Golden Slipper) she will go to the Percy Sykes.”

Tommy Berry has the ride on Vancouver in the Golden Slipper Stakes and he is no chance of jumping off the undefeated colt, but he still believes that Speak Fondly is worthy of a chance in the world’s richest three-year-old event next weekend.

Berry paid a strong tribute to Speak Fondly by comparing her to consistent mare Sweet Idea and he feels that the Northern Meteor filly has a good future in front of her.

“She reminds me of a mare called Sweet Idea,” Berry said.

“She can do that early work and little sticks out at the end.

“I don’t think she will ever win by a big margin, but she is a fighter and she showed the ability that she has today.

“I was very surprised with how she pulled up following a tough run and she pulled up like she hadn’t gone around.

“She copes her work very well and I don’t think the back-up will hurt her at all.”

Chris Waller-trained Always Allison started the 2015 Magic Night Stakes as favourite, but she was held up at a key point in the straight and was never able to get into the race.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.