GCTC TO HONOUR MILITARY ROSE AT JEWEL MEETING
The Gold Coast Turf Club will pay tribute to one of its local heroes with the running of the inaugural TAB Military Rose Plate at Saturday’s feature $2 Million QTIS Jewel Raceday.
The Gillian Heinrich-trained Military Rose is one of only three Gold Coast trained horses in history to have won the coveted Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a dominant victory in 2010.
The boom filly won her first five race starts including the Magic Millions, B.J McLachlan Stakes and Group 2 Reisling Slipper on her way to amassing a total of $1.62 million in prizemoney before being retired in 2011.
The GCTC in conjunction with Racing Queensland has recognised her achievements with the introduction of the inaugural $125,000 TAB Military Rose Plate (1200m) for Fillies and Mares to the QTIS Jewel program this year and Heinrich will be on hand to present the trophy to the winner on Saturday.
“It was really lovely of the Gold Coast Turf Club to do that, it’s nice to see her get that bit of recognition,” said Heinrich.
“Winning the Magic Millions was the best day of my life. We’ve had some Group winners over the years but she’s the most special horse we’ve had because she won at the home track and the home race.
“She wasn’t really big, she was very strong and well built, but she had a huge heart. She never gave up and I just wish a few of my stable would have her heart.
“Even when she got beaten in the Golden Slipper, that was only because she had a heart arrythmia and after that she was never the same, which is a shame.”
Fittingly, Heinrich has an opportunity to take out the inaugural running of the Military Rose Plate herself with four-year-old mare Euro Belle.
“She actually goes quite well Euro Belle and she’s drawn very well in barrier 3 so it would be a great day if we could win the race.”
GCTC Chief Executive Steve Lines said the addition of the Military Rose Plate would be an added boost to the evolving QTIS Jewel Raceday program.
“We’re delighted to be able to honour the achievements of Military Rose and Gillian with the introduction of this race,” said Lines.
“It really adds another dimension to the QTIS Jewel Raceday program which now boasts more than $2 million in prizemoney.
“The Jewel continues to grow in popularity, highlighted by the fact our corporate areas have been all sold out for weeks, and our General Admission tickets have also been in high demand.
“We are proud to be elevating this meeting year-on-year as we continue to work towards our long-term goal of pushing for more Metropolitan race meetings and to become the second Metropolitan Race club in Queensland.
“The success of this year’s Magic Millions Raceday and the Wave Raceday in January, which attracted more than $105 Million in combined turnover, is testament to the club’s ability to host even more feature racedays into the future.”
The QTIS Jewel Raceday is headlined by the running of the $500,000 Aquis QTIS Jewel 2YO (1200m) and the $500,000 TAB QTIS Jewel 3YO.
Both races have attracted strong fields including exciting unbeaten Queensland fillies Sweet Dolly (2YO Jewel) and Miami Fliess (3YO Jewel).
The $125,000 Listed Australian Turf Club Trophy (1400m) will see the return of local hero Vanna Girl, a winner of 7 races from 15 starts including the Group 2 The Roses during last year’s Queensland Winter Racing Carnival.
ENDS
For further information, please contact GCTC Racing Manager Ian Brown on 0439 559 991 or ianb@gctc.com.au
