Altar is a possible 2011 Golden Slipper starter after winning the Magic Night Stakes at Rosehill
Having just her second career start after running third to Triple Asset in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Classic (1200m) on debut at Flemington on March 12, today Altar went out at a quote of around $8.50 in the Magic Night Stakes odds.
Al’s Magic Miss got out well from the far outside barrier and went up early before the Peter Snowden-trained Disputes pulled to the front to lead.
After finding their positions, jockey Joshua Parr moved eventual winner Altar up into second while the punters’ favourite Retsina came into settle third.
Pane In The Glass also found a nice position in settling fourth.
On the run home, the John Thompson-trained Pane In The Glass found some room and got into the clear to begin her run.
Then, with 100m left Altar got up on the outside displaying her genuine speed, burst into the lead and raced away to finish a length ahead of a resilient Pane In The Glass in an impressive win.
In a great result for the Snowden stables, the Darley owned-winner Altar was joined in a top four finish by third placed stablemate Aerobatics who was just a further head away in a much improved effort from her fifth place finish in the Sweet Embrace, and Disputes crossing in fourth place.
The Lee Freedman-trained race favourite Retsina was disappointing never a threat when she didn’t come on.
Although now guaranteed a start in the 2011 Golden Slipper field, there are still doubts surrounding whether connections will decide to run Altar alongside her star stablemate and Slipper favourite Sepoy next Saturday.
Early drama in the Magic Night Stakes also saw the late scratching of #14 Quackquack, John O’Shea’s unraced filly unable to be settled into the barriers.
Prior to today’s race Altar was a $151 roughie in the Golden Slipper Futures Field & Odds.
Although not confirmed for the race, her price to become the Golden Slipper winner is still likely to firm right in when Golden Slipper 2011 betting markets reopen at Luxbet.
For all the best autumn racing odds including those for today’s Rosehill Guineas jumping at 4:10pm (AEDST), visit Luxbet!
