The winter carnival will be the focus for Rhapsody Rose after trainer Chris Munce elected not to push the envelope in the Magic Millions.
Rhapsody Rose was fully qualified for the Millions but sabotaged her chances with a cantankerous display before the start of the Gold Pearl Quality (1100m) at the Gold Coast on January 9.
The filly reared up in the enclosure dislodging apprentice Justin Huxtable who was then kicked by the Clerk of The Course pony and suffered serious abdominal injuries.
When fill-in rider Ben Thompson was legged aboard Rhapsody Rose she put on another rodeo act before eventually being cleared to start.
Rhapsody Rose’s pre-race antics clearly had an effect on her performance when she could manage only sixth to Swift Witness in the Gold Pearl, prompting Munce to pull the plug on her Magic Millions campaign.
“I couldn’t see a lot of positives in going to the well one more time,” Munce said.
“She’d obviously shown that she was wanting a spell the way she behaved at the Gold Coast which was very unlike her.
“I felt it was in her best interests to give her a break.”
Munce is confident Rhapsody Rose will measure up in black type company during the winter carnival.
“She’s a lovely filly and we know she can gallop,” he said.
“I’m sure she’ll come back a lot better and stronger fillly in the winter.”
