Racing: Military Rose heads market for 2YO feature

SYDNEY - Queensland filly Military Rose is the new favourite for the Golden Slipper at Rosehill on April 3 after an afternoon of juvenile racing that raised more questions than it answered.

The Magic Millions winner deposed the previously unbeaten Solar Charged at the top of markets after inflicting that filly's first defeat in the group two Reisling Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Solar Charged, the even money favourite, led but had no answer for the finishing burst of Military Rose and finished third with the Darley-owned Obsequious splitting the pair.

In the colts and geldings' division, Blue Diamond Stakes winner Star Witness was sent out the popular $2.40 elect but was one of the first horses beaten and will now miss the Slipper in favour of the spelling paddock.

"We definitely saw some bubbles burst here today," Glenn Munsie, spokesman for Australian TAB Sportsbet, said on Saturday.

TAB Sportsbet reacted to Military Rose's victory by bringing her in from $8 to be the outright Slipper favourite at $3.60, while Solar Charged eased from $4.60 to $9.

Sweet Embrace Stakes winner Crystal Lily is on the second line of betting at $6 with fairytale filly Chance Bye, who was to have had an an exhibition gallop at Kembla Grange yesterday, at $9.

Munsie said he was taken by Military Rose's Reisling victory, despite her recording a slightly slower time than the colts and gelding.

"She was impressive but she only ran average time," Munsie said.

"But you would think she'd still have improvement in her with this being her first run since January."

The Todman Stakes (1200m) was won by little-known David Payne-trained colt Masquerader who put his hand up as a genuine contender, with a brilliant come-from-behind win over Decision Time.

Masquerader is not nominated for the Slipper but Payne says his owners will pay the A$150,000 late entry fee to secure him a start.

"This is a genuine horse, he could be my Slipper horse," Payne said.

"At his first run he did everything wrong but he still won and in my experience over the years only good horses do that. He's still learning but he'll be ready for the Slipper.

"I've had five or six runners in the Slipper but this is the best."

- AAP