The ‘Magic Man’ Joao Moreira got the S.O.S. call from the Waller camp to travel down under and partner the stable’s dual Group 1 winner Militarize in the Golden Rose Stakes 2023 with the Brazilian hoop answering the call with a 10/10 ride to get the win right on the line.

2023 Golden Rose Stakes winner Militarize was enormous late charging through the line for a narrow victory. Photo: Steve Hart.

It was a thrilling finish to an outstanding edition of the stallion-making Group 1 $1.5 million Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens with the autumn’s Inglis Sires’ – Champagne Stakes double winner Militarize huge late to snare his third elite level right on the line.

Second-up and relishing the 1400m after his first-up fifth to Cylinder in the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m), the gun three-year-old son of Dundeel came from nowhere inside the final 50m and absolutely savaged the line with the blinkers on.

“It was a classic Golden Rose, good field,” Waller told Sky Thoroughbred Central post-win.

“I guess we had a nice favourable draw, confident jockey and I always thought the 1400m would be a bit short.

“We chose to put the blinkers on which I don’t like doing too early in a horse’s career, but it might’ve just got us home.

“Everything worked out well. A bit of traffic in the straight but he’s an amazing jockey.”

The callers had lost sight of the eventual Golden Rose Stakes winner, but Militarize ($6.50) came with a barnstorming run in the dying stages of the race for a late attack.

He dove and got there just in time with the star colt narrowly denying the Gary Portelli-trained Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality winner Encap ($15), who was given a perfect ride by young Dylan Gibbons, victory.

“I’m not allowed to swear am I. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. He’s gone enormous. Shame to get beaten that close,” apprentice Gibbons said after the narrow loss.

Third in the Golden Rose trifecta went to beaten favourite Cylinder ($4.20F) in the Godolphin Royal Blue with the James Cummings-trained Run To The Rose winner so brave after pinging the gates but then getting caught three-wide worse than midfield with no cover throughout.

The Golden Rose Stakes results saw Moreira celebrate his seventh Group 1 win in Australia, while the Waller dominance continued with the master trainer picking up his 151st Group 1 trophy.

“I couldn’t feel any better, he’s such a great horse for myself,” Moreira said after the victory.

“Every time I’ve sat on him he hasn’t let me down. Today he had to make it tough considering that he didn’t have everything go his way today.”

Waller confirmed likely plans for a next-up run in Melbourne on October 14 for Militarize in the Group 1 $3 million Neds Caulfield Guineas (1600m).

“We certainly will be talking about a Guineas for sure, that looks a nice race for him in terms of a traditional set-up,” he said.

“I don’t think there’ll be any differing along the way.”

Waller will also look at the Australasian weight-for-age championship with the Group 1 $5 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley on October 28 also an attractive option.

Militarize sits top of the latest all-in Caulfield Guineas 2023 betting odds at $3.30 through Ladbrokes.com.au with full markets available by clicking here.

Race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au meanwhile have the colt at $9 to beat the older horses home in the Cox Plate 2023 with full all-in odds available here.

2023 Golden Rose Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Table Credit: Racing Australia.