Country Rose gave trainer Kevin Gray the answer he was looking for when she won the $25,000 Levin Stakes yesterday.
Gray had been undecided which direction to head with Country Rose - the rich sprints over the summer carnival or the 1600 metre events.
"I think that race proved she's going to be a better miler than a sprinter," Gray said. "Her tone of racing is that she doesn't want to go early and she's going to be better over more ground."
Country Rose will now be aimed at the group one events of the $150,000 Highview Stud Trophy (1600m) at Ellerslie on January 2 and the $130,000 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham on January 27.
She is likely to have another 1400m race before heading to Ellerslie.
Yesterday's win was Country Rose's second from as many starts this campaign and has taken her overall record to six wins from 19 starts.
Country Rose was ridden for the first time by crack apprentice Michael Walker, who was impressed by her performance.
Mr Emperor looked a chance when he dashed to the front at the 200m but he had no answer.
The pacemaking Buster Brookfield battling well for third.
- NZPA
Racing: Rose blooms over miles
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