After winning her maiden at Newcastle a fortnight ago, three year old filly
Midnight Reigns is stepping it up in distance and quality for her third up start.
Today's race is her third of the preparation, it is a Class 1 Handicap at Canberra, there were little races to chose from closer to home and the Canberra event was very suitable which has justified the three hour trip. We have drawn barrier 7 for the 1400m effort and are happy with the position.
In form apprentice Sam Clipperton has the ride which has allowed a 1.5 kg weight relief for our filly, which will be well received as she was heavily weighted with 59kg. Clipperton partnered
Midnight Reigns in her first start of this preparation at Hawkesbury. After being severely hindered in the early stages of the race, she made up plenty of ground on a day which saw the front runners shine, to run 3rd from the tail of the field.
Her last start was over 1300m with Andrew Gibbons in the saddle. She jumped from barrier 2 at the Newcastle track on the 14th of January, she was out of the barrier quickly, broke through the leaders around the bend and raced gamely to the finish, in the number one position.
Midnight Reigns' (pictured below courtesy of
Bradleyphotos.com.au) past few performances have given trainer John O'Shea the feeling that she'll get over some ground so we're stepping her up to 1400m in the hope of getting her over 1600m before having a little holiday. There are plenty of races for fillies over 1600m, so providing she relishes that distance, we shouldn't have any issues with programming in the future.
Today's race will be run on a good track, which
Midnight Reigns the athletic filly will appreciate. She has been working well since her second up effort, and win, at Newcastle and after most of racing's variables have gone in our favour, the stable are tipping a competitive performance.
Good luck to all connections!
