Military Rose two million dollar bloom
The $2 million BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic 1200m has finally returned to its home of the Gold Coast.
A race that has eluded local trainers for many years, in 2010 it was Gillian Heinrich’s unbeaten Military Rose that stirred the Coast into a frenzy.
For the Gold Coast’s residents, they couldn’t have asked for a better result.
Comeback jockey Stathi Katsidis was onboard the filly as they jumped from the gate four that Heinrich’s daughter Tayla drew at the barrier draw.
Throughout the run, Military Rose held the pole position but even when she dropped back she was never far from the front.
In the straight Katsidis pulled away and once they hit the lead they were still a way from the post, but there was no doubting the race was theirs. As they strode to the line, the winning margin was posted as three and three quarter lengths.
The cheers from the entire crowd was almost surpassed by those of the Heinrich Bloodstock Syndicate connections who in a flurry of pink raced down to the enclosure to celebrate the momentous occasion.
Plenty of pink champagne, or strawberry daquiris according to Gillian, was certain to be consumed that night.
Heinrich left the ride tactics up to Katsidis, who is currently topping the country’s premiership table. “He wasn’t concerned,” she said. “He said he’ll ride it as he finds it.”
Katsidis did just that and when he saw no other horses were taking the lead he believed he was travelling well enough to go for it.
“She’s got good speed,” he said. “Although there was a lot of speed on paper, a lot of people see that and ride their horses differently but I thought I’ll be positive and I can come back off them if I wanted to.
“When no one really wanted to lead, at about the 700m I thought I’ll go there, then I can dictate to everyone else where I want to be on the track.
“I don’t know what time they ran but it felt like we were going reasonably slow out in front and if they were she’s just that good she felt like she was going slow.
“I held on to her until I got to the straight. Once I was straightened up and balanced I just niggled her along. I didn’t go full ball until about the 250m. I had a look at the big screen and saw I was well in front.”
Jockey Corey Brown walked away with another second aboard the John O’Shea-trained Ambers Waltz and Brisbane trainer Barry Baldwin picked up third place prizemoney with Demanding Miss (Chris Munce) a neck behind.
Katsidis described the win as his biggest. “I’ve never rode in a two million dollar race, let along won one,” he said.
Heinrich described the win as “absolutely sensational”.
“Just to get a horse to the race today was fantastic and to watch him win by lengths like that it was really good,” she said.
She was quietly confident at the turn the win was in sight but it wasn’t until the filly got a furlong from the post and was well in front that her screaming for joy began.
The successful Gold Coast trainer was extremely proud to win the race for the Coast. “I can’t say enough about the locals,” she said. “I’ve had that many text messages of good luck and ‘we hope you bring it home for the Gold Coast’ so it’s been a really good thing.
“It’s my home town. I’ve always said this is the main race I’ve wanted to win so obviously it’s sensational.”
While the words of amazing, sensational and unbelievable were thrown around, it truly was a race where the “magic” of the Magic Millions was felt by all witnesses.
Military Rose was purchased for $155,000 at last year’s sales with strong breeding behind her. Her sire is past 2YO Classic winner General Nediym and her dam Flying Spur’s Bella Maddelena.
With a purse now holding $1,332,0000 the Heinrich Bloodstock Syndicate who race under the black silks with pink horseshoes, the celebrations are well deserved.
She broke her maiden in her first race at Doomben before going to secure the Listed Calaway Gal Stakes and the Listed B.J. McLachlan Stakes.
“Four out of four, what more can I say?” exclaimed Heinrich. “She’s won that today and won it easy. Let’s see where we go next.”
Katsidis is confident Military Rose has an even brighter future ahead of her.
“I rode the Golden Slipper winner Calaway Girl in early days,” he said. “She’s (Military Rose) got to be on par with her with her acceleration and she can come from behind.
“She’s probably a little bit bigger so that’s probably a plus for her.”
But for now Military Rose can simply sit back and bask in the glow of pink that surrounds her.
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Hollie Roberts – January 9 |
