Trainer Lee Curtis has confirmed that promising filly Press Report will not run in the 2014 Golden Slipper, even if she scores her maiden race win in the Group 2 Magic Night Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens this weekend.
Press Report finished second behind Golden Slipper contender Mossfun in the Silver Slipper Stakes at the start of her autumn campaign. Photo by: Steve Hart
Press Report started her 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival campaign with an impressive second place finish behind Mossfun in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 1 and worked home fairly when fourth in the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on March 15.
Curtis told Racing Ahead this morning that he was slightly disappointed with the effort of Press Report in the Sweet Embrace Stakes and is hoping that she will produce an improved performance in the Magic Night Stakes this weekend.
“We were a tad disappointed,” Curtis said.
“She ran second in the Silver Slipper and it may have flattened her a bit first-up.
“She might have just worked a little too well on the Tuesday.
“It was a good run, but I just think that she might have been a little bit better than that and we are looking for a bit of improvement on Saturday.”
Press Report has been included in the nominations for the Group 3 Royal Randwick Stakes (1200m) that will be held during The Championships, but Curtis said that the daughter of Written Tycoon is no certainty to contest the race; with the Group 1 Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) another potential option for the filly.
The winner of the Magic Night Stakes receives ballot exempt entry into the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on April 5, but Curtis is adamant that his star juvenile will not run in the $3.5 million event.
“She is not going to run in the Slipper; she would have had to win last week,” Curtis said.
“If she can show a bit more zip on Saturday I will run her in the Royal Randwick Stakes and if not we will consider other options – maybe the Sires.
“She has to run really well on Saturday.”
Press Report will face stiff competition in the 2014 Magic Night Stakes; with Inglis Classic winner Peggy Jean, David Hayes-trained Clifton Red, St Albans Stakes winner London Lolly and popular filly Bring Me The Maid all included in the nominations for the Group 2 event.
