Former boom filly Steel City primed to recapture her form at Flemington on Saturday

Steel City has shown right signs of intent to recapture her boom on Saturday at Flemington.

Steel City has shown right signs of intent to recapture her boom on Saturday at Flemington.

The Group 3 winner and one-time Blue Diamond favourite has benefited from a long break, having raced only once the past 15 months, an uncharacteristic failure last spring.

The precocious half-sister of multiple Group 1 winner September Run is one of five Ciaron Maher-trained three-year-olds in the 1100m handicap at Flemington.

“She’s come up well, trialled up solid, two jumpouts,” assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said.

“She’s had a bit of time off to grow out, had a plain preparation after the Diamond, we just reset her, and I can’t fault her homework.

“Albeit she’s got to carry a fair bit of weight Saturday, she’ll be there a long way but I would think, naturally, late she’ll probably be a bit soft.”

Steel City is an $8.50 chance with TAB behind Right To Party ($7), Le Parrain ($7.50) and Carbonados ($8).

Steel City wins the Magic Night Stakes.

Steel City was runner-up in her first two starts in Sydney last year and then had no luck in the 2023 Blue Diamond Stakes, trapped on the rail in traffic.

The Merchant Navy filly, out of Pittsburgh Flyer, hit back to win the Group 3 Magic Night then endured a tough run in the Golden Slipper.

Steel City resumed last spring but failed to fire in the Listed Cap D’antibes Stakes.

“She travelled well as she always did but as soon as you let her off the bridle she found zero, which is unlike her,” Turnbull said.

Runnerup in the Widden Stakes, Steel City learns to fly at start #3 in the Group 3 @TRESemme Magic Night S. at @rosehillgardens.

The first stakes winner for @CoolmoreAus's Merchant Navy and a half to multiple Group 1 winner September Run, Steel City was sold to @cmaherracing /… pic.twitter.com/DNBKD3MlMZ

— Aushorse (@Aushorse_TBA) March 11, 2023

“Given the class we thought she had and the time, because she was up and going as an early two-year-old, we could afford to give her a good break and bring her back.”

Time away has allowed the fast and fresh Steel City to grow into her frame.

“She’s a very strong filly now,” Turnbull said.

“Always had class, she was arguably unlucky in the Blue Diamond, really pleased and looking forward to getting her back.

“We put her under a bit of pressure in the last (jumpout) and she responded, I think we’ve got her where we want to.”

Turnbull said Links ($26) and Wallenda ($34) could outperform market expectations, while Namesake ($10) would need the run after a long time off.

Links has won and placed in lesser grade down the Flemington straight the past two starts, while Wallenda should be more competitive second-up.

Originally published as Former boom filly Steel City primed to recapture her form at Flemington on Saturday