The 2010 Magic Millions Classic winning trainer Gillian Heinrich has qualified two runners for 2012 version after Military Bride railed to win Hamilton Hotel Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm today.
Sporting blinkers for the first time, Military Bride improved drastically on her first start fifth and pocked $32,000.
The amount should be enough to get her into the $2m MM Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 14.
Military Bride ($10) settled back on the fence behind leader Optionality ($4.60) with Heinrich’s second runner Read All About Me ($17) outside the leader.
The trio got away from rivals at the 300m with Optionality drifting off the fence in the straight.
Military Bride stuck to the rail and proved too smart.
Read All About Me faded to take third.
Military Bride joins Pure Whisper as Heinrich’s other qualifier so far for the MM.
“I haven’t give up with Read All About Me getting into the Magic Millions either,” Heinrich said.
“I thought his run to finish third was quite good.”
Heinrich won the 2010 MM Classic with Military Rose, ridden by the late-Stathi Katsidis.
It was his good friend Brad Stewart aboard Military Bride.
“Brad suggested after she finished fifth at Doomben in her first run to put blinkers on her,” Heinrich said.
“The blinkers obviously helped a lot.
“I’m very happy she’s in the Magic Millions now and I’m looking forward to the race.”
Military Bride’s lead up runs will include the Listed Calaway Gal Stakes (1000m) at Eagle Farm on December 17 and then the Group 3 B J McLachlan Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on December 31.
That race could see Military Bride and Pure Whisper clash.
Pure Whisper, a son of first season sire Purrealist, is a half-brother to multiple Group 1 winner Racing To Win.
He won impressively on debut at Doomben on November 5 and is likely to race next in the Listed Phelan Ready Stakes (1000m) on the same day as the Calaway Gal.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | MILITARY BRIDE | Gillian Heinrich | Brad Stewart | 5 | 54.5kg | $10 | |
| 2 | 1 | OPTIONALITY | Ted Harden | Luke Rolls (a2) | 1.3L | 1 | 57kg (cd 55kg) | $4.60 |
| 3 | 4 | READ ALL ABOUT ME | Gillian Heinrich | Ric McMahon | 3.6L | 2 | 56.5kg | $17 |
| 4 | 3 | HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS | Liam Birchley | Glen Colless | 4.9L | 7 | 56.5kg | $3.80 |
| 5 | 5 | CHANGE OFTEN | John P Thompson | Timothy Bell (a1.5) | 5.1L | 6 | 54.5kg (cd 53kg) | $3.60F |
| 6 | 2 | VAIN DAZZLER | Tom Bourke | Jason Letherby (a3) | 8L | 4 | 57kg (cd 54kg) | $15 |
| 7 | 13e | SIERRA RAPID | Darryle Brusnahan | Michael Hellyer | 10.5L | 9 | 53kg | $101 |
| 8 | 11 | NETT | Todd Austin | Chris Munce | 11L | 10 | 54.5kg | $8 |
| 9 | 12 | LA CHORUS | William Pholi | Scott Seamer | 11.5L | 3 | 53.5kg | $101 |
| 10 | 6 | DEVIL HEART | Troy Hall | Mitchell Wood (a3) | 11.8L | 8 | 54.5kg (cd 53.5kg) | $3.70 |
| 7 | FIDDY GEE | Shane L Smith | Ms Jacque Brown (a3) | 0 | ||||
| 9 | LADY BUTTERFLY | Lennie Wheeler | Eddie Wilkinson | 0 | ||||
| 8 | HEADLESS | John P Thompson | Jim Byrne | 0 |
