Magic Millions goal for Moroccan Rose

Friday 2 November 2012, 1:56pm

Gold Coast trainer Gillian Heinrich's experience with two-year-olds has taught her not to be swept up in the whirlwind of expectation.

Moroccan Rose, trained by Heinrich, is the $3.20 favourite to make a winning debut at Eagle Farm on Saturday following a dominant win in a 900m barrier trial at the Gold Coast.

The ease of the filly's heat win has impressed many observers but Heinrich is keeping a lid on the hype by putting the performance into perspective.

"I'm very happy with the way she's going but there's a big difference between what they can do in a trial and on race day when they're subjected to a lot more pressure," she said.

"So often you see horses look like world beaters in trials but come race day they don't live up to a lot of people's expectations.

"The very nature of two-year-olds is that they're day-to-day propositions.

"Especially early in the season when they're not fully developed and the tracks are firm which is what we're dealing with at the moment."

Heinrich paid $30,000 for Moroccan Rose at last year's Magic Millions yearling sales when she discovered a familiar name on the pedigree page of the daughter of Forward Charge.

"Her dam Tang is closely related to the dam of Military Rose who we won the Magic Millions with a couple of years ago," she said.

"I wouldn't say she's overly big but neither was Military Rose at the same stage."

The path Moroccan Rose will follow in her quest for a Magic Millions berth is from a template Heinrich has used with success in previous years.

"I try and get them qualified by winning enough prizemoney from their first two starts then give them a let-up and one lead up run before the Magic Millions," she said.

"That's what my aim will be with this filly all going well."

Heinrich was relieved when the filly drew barrier one on Saturday with experienced jockey Jeff Lloyd engaged.

"It's a major advantage with two-year-olds having their first start to draw barrier one so they have the rail to follow when they leave the gates," she said.

"Jeff's a great jockey and he rode her in the trial so he has a good understanding of her which is also important."

– AAP

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