Chilly Girl returns with victory in The Rosebud

Chilly Girl followed the quick pace of Blue Door into the home straight, leading to a hard-fought duel between the two fillies over the final 200 metres.

Ultimately, the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou trained Chilly Girl emerged victorious near the finish line, recording a commanding and widening margin of victory.

This success represents a significant training achievement for Ryan and Alexiou, particularly given their talented filly had suffered a hamstring injury only days after her brilliant debut win in the Widden Stakes 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 effectively by Tim Clark, Chilly Girl ($6.50) settled behind Blue Door ($3.60 favourite) before finding a superior turn of foot to win by a length. Central Europe ($5.50) closed well for third, a further 1.25 lengths adrift of Castillo King.

Clark commented that Chilly Girl was "fantastic" and expects her to improve further following her first outing in over six months.

"Chilly Girl jumped well, rolled forward and worked across with Blue Door,'' Clark remarked.

"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 filly, Chilly Girl, was bred and is owned by Bert Vieira and is a descendant of his former exceptional sprinter and current leading Widden Stud sire, Trapeze Artist.

Her dam, I Got Chills, was a former star sprinter and a one-time favourite for the Golden Slipper, but an injury in 2006 forced her withdrawal from the world's richest two-year-old race.

I Got Chills, who secured a substantial betting coup with her win in the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes, was co-owned by the iconic Australian singer Olivia Newton-John.

Chilly Girl was also set to compete in the Golden Slipper, but similar to her mother, a hamstring injury prevented her participation.

Ryan feels that Chilly Girl's misfortune last season might prove to be a positive, allowing the filly more time for development and growth.

"It was good for Bert to see Chilly Girl win as he's been very patient,'' Ryan commented.

"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."

This victory handed Ryan and Alexiou their second consecutive win in The Rosebud, following their success with Skyhook in the same three-year-old feature last year.

Blue Door, under the ownership of John Singleton, led for the majority of the race and held on for second place. Trainer Bjorn Baker is contemplating keeping the filly fresh for the Heritage Stakes scheduled for later next month.

Central Europe showed a strong finish for third, marking its third consecutive stakes placing in as many starts. Trainer Chris Waller indicated that the promising colt may be targeted towards the Run To The Rose in four weeks.

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