Chilly Girl followed the swift Blue Door into the straight, setting the stage for a stirring duel over the final 200 metres.
It was the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Chilly Girl who eventually gained the upper hand close to the line, achieving a decisive and widening victory.
This win is a training triumph for Ryan and Alexiou, particularly as their talented filly had suffered a hamstring injury just days after her brilliant debut win in the Widden Stakes back in January.
“After she came back following her hamstring problem, there was nothing for her over winter so I said we will aim for this race,” Ryan stated. “She has had a long, slow preparation for this race but after I saw her parading in the mounting yard, I was more confident about her chances today. She’s a promising filly.”
Ridden with skill by Tim Clark, Chilly Girl ($6.50) tracked the favourite Blue Door ($3.60) and finished with superior strength to win by a length. Central Europe ($5.50) ran on well for third, a further 1.25 lengths behind Castillo King.
Clark described Chilly Girl as “fantastic” and anticipates further improvement after her first start in over six months.
“Chilly Girl jumped well, rolled forward and worked across with Blue Door,” Clark said.
“I found its back and I thought it would take me everywhere I needed to go, which it did.
“She still got a little bit lost when I had to come off Blue Door’s back and had to really chase after it.,
“But I loved the way she knuckled down late, she was very determined. It was a really strong win, she has come back in great order.”
The unbeaten filly, Chilly Girl, was bred and is owned by Bert Vieira and is a daughter of his former outstanding sprinter and now leading Widden Stud stallion, Trapeze Artist.
Her dam, I Got Chills, was a former brilliant speedster and a one-time Golden Slipper favourite, but an injury in 2006 forced her withdrawal from the world’s richest two-year-old race.
I Got Chills, who won the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes under a significant betting plunge, was part-owned by the legendary Australian singer Olivia Newton-John.
Chilly Girl was also slated for the Golden Slipper, but like her dam, she missed the race due to that hamstring injury.
Ryan believes Chilly Girl’s misfortune last season could prove a blessing in disguise, giving the filly more time to develop and mature.
“It was good for Bert to see Chilly Girl win as he’s been very patient,” Ryan said.
“We will go to the Furious Stakes next and then the Tea Rose Stakes.
“After we get her out to 1400m in the Tea Rose, then we will decide if try her at a mile for the Flight Stakes or go back to the shorter races.”
Chilly Girl’s victory gave Ryan and Alexiou their second consecutive win in The Rosebud, following their success with Skyhook in the three-year-old feature last year.
Blue Door, owned by John Singleton, led for most of the race and held on for second, with trainer Bjorn Baker considering keeping the filly fresh for the Heritage Stakes later next month.
Central Europe ran on strongly for third place, its third successive stakes placing in as many starts. Trainer Chris Waller suggested the promising colt might head to the Run To The Rose in four weeks.
Betting markets for the race are sure to be competitive for Chilly Girl’s next outing.
