Heinrich's Golden Slipper confidence soars

By Glenn Davis

BRISBANE, March 10 AAP - A decision to send Magic Millions winner Military Rose to Sydney a week ahead of schedule has lifted trainer Gillian Heinrich's confidence for next month's Group One Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill.

Military Rose was due to leave for Sydney on Wednesday but the recent big wet in southeast Queensland forced Heinrich to send the filly south earlier than planned.

"We were going to send her down today but with all the rain we've had I sent her down a week ago," Heinrich said.

"She worked fantastically on the course proper at Rosehill yesterday and it was better work than I ever expected.

"Stathi (Katsidis) came down to ride her and he was rapt with her work."

Katsidis won the Magic Millions Classic on Military Rose at the Gold Coast in January and is basing himself in Sydney until the Golden Slipper while he chases other riches, including the Group One Randwick Guineas (1600m) on Saturday aboard Shoot Out.

Heinrich, who is yet to train a Group One winner, is delighted with the way Military Rose spelled following her Magic Millions triumph.

"She put on 14 kilograms during her break and for a two-year-old filly that's fantastic," she said.

"I couldn't be happier with her and she's got another gallop next week before she resumes in the Reisling Stakes.

"She'll be close to her top for the Reisling but that run will top her off for the Golden Slipper."

The Group Two Reisling Slipper Stakes (1200m) will be run on Saturday week.

Military Rose's work also surprised Katsidis.

"I've never ridden her in her work before but I was really happy the way she went yesterday," Katsidis said.

"It was a soul-searching workout and she had a good blow after the race.

"She felt really strong and she's only going to get better from here on."

Katsidis also partnered stablemate Sweepstaking in her Tuesday gallop and plans to ride her differently in her next assignment in the Listed Schweppervesence (1100m) on Saturday week.

Heinrich originally planned a step up in distance to the Group Two Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) the same day for Sweepstaking.

Sweepstaking is remaining in Sydney despite tailing the field in the Group Two Surround Stakes (1400m) won by More Joyous at Warwick Farm last Saturday.

"Stathi and I had a good talk after the Surround and he now realises she's a backmarker and needs to be ridden from behind," Heinrich said.

"I still think she can get 1400 metres but I've decided to bring her back in distance to 1100 metres next run where I know there'll be plenty of speed on to suit her."

Click the "like" button on the Punters Paradise Facebook page to receive our news directly to your facebook feed, along with extra photos, discussions, newsletters, free tips and special betting offers.