Winner: Military Rose (General Nediym-Bella Maddalena)
Race: STC Reisling Stakes G2 (1200m)
Sold for: $155,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Middlebrook Valley Lodge
Buyer: Heinrich Bloodstock
Earnings: $1,527,000
Owner(s): Heinrich Bloodstock Syndicate
Trainer: Gillian Heinrich (Gold Coast)

Outstanding juvenile filly Military Rose shot to favouritism for the $3.5 million Golden Slipper Stakes with a demolition job of her rivals in the $300,000 Reisling Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill today.

Having her first start since her runaway three and three quarter length success in the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January, Military Rose gave the former Slipper favourite Solar Charged windburn as she raced to the front in the straight.

And in a scary thought for her potential rivals in the Slipper, connections said there was good improvement in Military Rose looking toward her next run.

A $155,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase, Military Rose is trained at the Gold Coast by Gillian Heinrich.

“It was really good,” Heinrich beamed. “We always knew she was pretty good, but we’re in the big smoke today and to match up with those types of horses is fantastic.”

And as for improvement, Heinrich says there is plenty there considering she hadn’t raced since January.

“I think there is,” she added. “There has to be natural improvement.”

One of the great attributes for Military Rose is the ability to ride her wherever in the race according to Heinrich.

“She’s pretty versatile. She’s done it in a few runs. She can chop and change. She can lead, get back or sit off the speed.”

“When you’ve got a filly like that, it’s nice in the big races.”

Military Rose is a great horse to deal with according to Heinrich. The daughter of General Nediym hadn’t missed a beat since arriving in the Harbour City recently.

“It really didn’t worry her. The day she got off the float, she was straight in the feed bin and ate everything.”

“She’s come here like she’s back at home. It’s all been good for her.”

As for the prospects of winning a Slipper, Heinrich thinks success in the famous Sydney juvenile race would always play second fiddle to the Magic Millions success earlier in the year.

“It will be good,” Heinrich said. “But I don’t think anything will beat the Magic Millions day.”

Military Rose’s regular rider Stathi Katisids was forced to watch Michael Rodd take control today as he’s on the sidelines with a suspension.

The star Queensland rider couldn’t have been more impressed with the performance and said he couldn’t wait to get back in the saddle for the Slipper.

“That was absolutely awesome,” Katsidis beamed. “She’s only about 80 per cent right for the day so there’s lots of improvement in her.”

“Michael looked after her as well for us and look out in a couple of weeks time.”

“I was a bit worried in the run. Solar Charged got over nice and easy and slowed them up and it looked like we might get posted three wide.”

“But Michael got her into a good position and at the corner she was really going well.”

“She probably peaked on her run at the 200 (metre mark), so look out next time when she’s a bit fitter.”

“I was very disappointed watching today. I’m much more nervous watching them than riding them. But I’m glad to be on her back next time.”

Michael Rodd, who had the honour of riding Military Rose today, couldn’t have been more impressed.

“It’s back luck for Stathi but I’m glad he got suspended so I could get a feel of her,” he said.

“That was just unbelievable. She’s such a professional. She began really well and travelled fantastic outside the leader.”

“I gave her a little bit of a squeeze and she came up them two to their one.”

“It was incredible and she’s pulled up and wouldn’t blow a candle out,” he added.

Rodd, who will ride Beneteau in the Slipper, said he feared Military Rose “big time.”

“She’s definitely the filly to beat. As you saw what she did at the Magic Millions and what she did here – and she’s only going to improve and that is worrying.”

The Golden Slipper, the world’s richest juvenile race at $3.5 million, will be run at Rosehill in a fortnight.

Military Rose’s unbeaten career has now hit five and her earnings have shot to $1,527,000.