John Sargent’s Blonde set for the Magic Night Stakes

The winner of the Magic Night Stakes at Rosehill will earn a Golden Slipper spot, and trainer John Sargent is optimistic that his improving filly, Autumn Blonde, can take advantage of the opportunity.

A daughter of The Autumn Sun, Autumn Blonde finished a strong third behind Marhoona, the future Reisling Stakes runner-up, in her debut at Canterbury. In her next start, she came fourth, just one length behind Within The Law, in the Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m).

Sargent was particularly impressed with her last race, where she was caught wide and hampered but still finished the race well. With a better draw for Saturday’s Magic Night Stakes, he believes Autumn Blonde is ready to perform well.

“In her last run, she was caught wide and got hampered, but still hit the line strongly,” Sargent said.

“She seems to have come on since then, and with a better draw, we’re hopeful of a better run on Saturday.

“She’s been showing plenty at home. She just needed a little more mental maturity, and she’s now showing that progress.”

Regan Bayliss, who rode Autumn Blonde at Canterbury, will reunite with her for the Magic Night Stakes, where she’s priced at $9.50.

To earn a spot in next week’s Golden Slipper, Autumn Blonde needs to win on Saturday, and if she does, Sargent is confident she can handle the quick turnaround.

“If she pulls up well, she’d go to the Slipper,” Sargent said.

“Her work has been good, and Regan knows her well. I’m expecting a solid run from her on Saturday.”

The Magic Night Stakes (1200m) will feature 14 fillies, with Strada Varenna, an impressive debut winner, the $3.40 favorite, followed by Inglis Millennium placegetter Artistic Venture at $3.90.

Kiamichi was the last filly to win both the Magic Night Stakes and Golden Slipper back in 2019.

In the Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) for colts and geldings, West Of Swindon, trained by Hawkes Racing, is the $2.90 favorite.