| 09-09-2010 |
RAIN GO AWAY: Stable employee Letisha Cumming with Military Rose at Flemington. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: Herald Sun
GILLIAN Heinrich is one of many trainers hoping the predicted Melbourne deluge stays away as she counts down to the return of star filly Military Rose at Flemington on Saturday. Military Rose has an unblemished fresh record and a rousing jump-out at Flemington last week has Heinrich building in confidence that can continue in the Danehill Stakes (1200m). "It is an exciting time but also apprehensive," Heinrich said. "It is always in the back of your mind whether they will come back or not, so I'm very keen to get this first run out of the way." Concerns were raised following Military Rose's Gold Coast trial win last month, which wasn't as impressive as hoped. "It's not so much that I wasn't happy with her, it's just that she jumped to the front by five lengths and then didn't really finish off," Heinrich said. "I prefer it the other way around and at Flemington last week she stayed with them and then finished off enormously. "I was very happy with that and overall I am rapt with the filly at the moment. She looks a million dollars." Heinrich is confident the Magic Millions winner and beaten Golden Slipper favourite will race well, but she is concerned about the likely rain."If it's slow she will still run because I want to get the campaign started, but if it comes up heavy then I would have to think twice," Heinrich said. "The program I have mapped out gives her three weeks into the Champagne Stakes from this run. If worse came to worse there's a three-year-old fillies race next week and two weeks into the Champagne would still be OK, but I want to give her the race experience down the straight because her main aim is the Coolmore Stakes (at Flemington on October 30). "We found out in the Slipper she doesn't like really wet ground, so obviously I'm hoping the weather reports are wrong." Queenslanders have a strong hand in the Danehill, with Rob Heathcote's Buffering turning in a strong workout at Flemington this week. Forecasts are for up to 50mm to fall at Flemington, including heavy rain on Saturday. Trainer Mark Kavanagh has Shocking in the Makybe Diva, but wants dry ground for talented duo Shrapnel (Danehill Stakes) and We're Gonna Rock (Bobbie Lewis). Trainer Mike Moroney expects a big run from Victoria Derby winner Monaco Consul in the Makybe Diva Stakes. "The Cox Plate is a race we would like to look at and that being the case, he needs to run well here," Moroney said. Danleigh is the early $3 favourite in the Makybe Diva with TAB Sportsbet. |
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