Chilly Girl tracked the speedy Blue Door into the straight, and the two fillies broke clear for a compelling battle over the final 200 metres.

However, it was the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Chilly Girl who gained the ascendancy near the line, achieving a convincing and widening margin of victory.

This win represents a significant training success for Ryan and Alexiou, especially considering their talented filly sustained a hamstring injury just 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 revealed. “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.”

Chilly Girl ($6.50), expertly ridden by Tim Clark, followed Blue Door ($3.60 favourite) through the race and then finished with superior strength to win by a length. Central Europe ($5.50) ran on resolutely for third, a further 1.25 lengths behind Castillo King.

Clark stated that Chilly Girl performed “fantastic” and anticipates further improvement after her first start in more than six months.

“Chilly Girl jumped well, rolled forward and worked across with Blue Door,” Clark explained.

“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 exceptional sprinter and current 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 out of the world’s richest two-year-old race.

I Got Chills, who landed a substantial betting plunge when winning the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes, was co-owned by the legendary Australian singer Olivia Newton-John.

Chilly Girl was also destined for the Golden Slipper, but like her dam, she missed the race due to that hamstring injury.

Ryan believes Chilly Girl’s setback last season might prove to be beneficial, affording 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 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.”

Chilly Girl’s victory granted Ryan and Alexiou their second successive Rosebud win, 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. Trainer Bjorn Baker is considering keeping the filly fresh for the Heritage Stakes later next month.

Central Europe ran on strongly for third place, marking its third successive stakes placing in as many starts. Trainer Chris Waller suggested the promising colt might be aimed at the Run To The Rose in four weeks.

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