Merchant Navy Filly Wins G3 Magic Night

Tara Madgwick - Saturday March 11

She was a maiden going into the Group III ATC Magic Night Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday, but the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained Merchant Navy filly Steel City justified the faith of punters when scoring a resounding victory as favourite.

Steel City cruises home alone in the G3 Magic Night - image Steve Hart

Second at her first two starts behind Red Resistance at Randwick and then to Learning to Fly in the Group III ATC Widden Stakes, Steel City was seen as desperately unlucky when finishing midfield and untested in the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes.

Advertisement

Connections elected to take luck out of the equation on Saturday with Steel City cruising straight to the lead for Regan Bayliss and powering clear to win by three lengths running half a second quicker than Pago Pago Stakes winner Shinzo.

“I was hoping that would happen last start (Blue Diamond) as were a lot of people, but that’s racing,” said Ciaron Maher.

A $700,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Coolmore draft for Ciaron Maher Bloodstock/Best Bloodstock, Steel City was bred by Go Bloodstock and is the most expensive yearling ever sold by Merchant Navy and becomes his first stakes-winner.

$700,000 Magic Millions purchase Steel City is the highest priced yearling by Merchant Navy.

She is bred to be good as a half-sister to dual Group I winning sprinter September Run and is the third winner from Group III winning Street Cry (IRE) mare Pittsburgh Flyer.

Pittsburgh Flyer has a yearling colt by Exceed and Excel and was covered last spring by I Am Invincible after slipping to Exceed and Excel.

Advertisment

Race Result - Tresemme Magic Night Stakes Gr3 1200m

Rosehill Track: Good(4) Time: 1:10.08
1
Steel City
- 2f Merchant Navy (AUS) x Pittsburgh Flyer (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Regan Bayliss 55.5
2
2.8
Blanc De Blanc
- 2f I Am Invincible (AUS) x Another Sunday (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Freedman Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55.5
I Am Invincible
3
3.2
August Bloom
- 2f More Than Ready (USA) x Peace Time (USA) (War Front (USA))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: Tom Sherry 55.5
More Than Ready
4
3.3
Remedies
- 2f Sepoy (AUS) x Virage De Fortune (AUS) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Tim Clark 55.5
5
3.8
Shine Your Light
- 2f Jukebox (AUS) x Unknown Destiny (AUS) (Zizou (AUS))
Tnr: Cassandra Stummer Rdr: Reece Jones 55.5
6
4.8
Untouchable Legend
- 2f I Am Invincible (AUS) x Endean Rose (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Ryan Maloney 55.5
7
4.9
Hellbent On You
- 2f Hellbent (AUS) x Double Dream (FR) (Lawman (FR))
Tnr: John Thompson Rdr: Brock Ryan 55.5
8
5.1
Tu Qui Santuzza
- 2f Pierro (AUS) x Santuzza (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: B Prebble 55.5
9
9.1
Bianco Nero
- 2f National Defense (GB) x Ladder (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: K Mc Evoy 55.5
10
9.5
Pretty Rho
- 2f Lonhro (AUS) x Gheedaa (AUS) (Hinchinbrook (AUS))
Tnr: R & L Price Rdr: M J Dee 55.5
11
13.3
Fire Lane
- 2f Hellbent (AUS) x Heritage Lane (AUS) (Charge Forward (AUS))
Tnr: Brad Widdup Rdr: J Ford 55.5
12
14.6
Kimmela
- 2f Vancouver (AUS) x Good Time Girl (AUS) (All American (AUS))
Tnr: Edward O'Rourke Rdr: W Pike 55.5
More Reading...
Mitchell McKenzie Colts Showcase
All eyes will be on the $175,000 Listed MVRC Mitchell McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday with an intriguing field of nine colts and geldings all vying for that all important first stakes win.
Sires With Winners - Thursday September 4
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Kiwi Melbourne Cup Contender Kicks off at The Valley
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Mark Twain has landed in Melbourne and will commence his path towards the iconic feature at The Valley on Saturday.
Ole Kirk share headlines strong September (Early) Online Sale
A share in - and mares in foal to - reigning Champion First Season Sire Ole Kirk are joined by a bevy of quality racing and breeding stock in the Inglis Digital September (Early) Online Sale, which is now open for bidding.
Will Macdonald Joins Astute Bloodstock
Astute Bloodstock is delighted to announce the expansion of our team as we continue to meet increasing client demand and pursue our Group 1 ambitions.
$1.65million Invincible Colt Hostility Resuming on Saturday
Te Akau Racing will hold a strong hand on Proisir Plate Day at Ellerslie on Saturday, particularly in the age group features.
Corumbene Stud Mourn Loss of Treasured Mare
Corumbene Stud took to Instagram earlier today to announce the passing of their much loved broodmare Bahia, the dam of Golden Slipper winner Overreach.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Hawkesbury
Three trials for juveniles at Hawkesbury on Monday produced some interesting results with the most impressive winner being the half-sister to dual Group I winner September Run.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 AJ Moir Stakes
The Valley blasts into spring G1 action with the running of the $750,000 AJ Moir Stakes WFA at 1000m, and it's always an exciting spectacle when a full field of flyers are going full bore on the turning track!
One to Watch – Wyong
The John O’Shea and Tom Charton stable have been running hot into spring and unleashed a talented Wootton Bassett (GB) colt at Wyong on Friday that bolted in to win by nearly five lengths.