DOWNHILL RACER WINS THE MAGIC NIGHT

David Hayes is expecting to have as many as six runners in next weekend’s Group One STC Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) following the qualification of Downhill Racer (2f, Danehill Dancer-Trick Ski, by Rory’s Jester) at Rosehill Gardens.

Having her second start in a week but only the third outing of her career, Downhill Racer signalled her arrival as a top-class 2-year-old filly with a dashing success in the Group 2 STC Magic Night Quality (1200m). Despite racing right-handed for the first time in her career and covering extra ground for the majority of the trip, the flashy chestnut daughter of Danehill Dancer came with a powerful finish over the closing stages to score like a horse going places in a hurry.

Immediately after the win, trainer David Hayes explained that the stable thought Downhill Racer would qualify for the Golden Slipper by winning in Melbourne the previous weekend. When the filly failed by a short half-head, connections had no other option but to run her in Magic Night with the revised plan providing the perfect outcome.

A $300,000 purchase at the 2006 Magic Millions Gold Coast Premier Yearling Sale, Downhill Racer now boasts two wins and one second from three starts for stakes earnings of over $130,000 --- not to mention considerably increased residual value as a broodmare. Hayes suggested that she will be immediately spelled after tackling the Golden Slipper, a race which will prove to be her third outing over three consecutive weekends.