Michael Rodd is NSW born and Victorian based but he has picked up the plum Reisling Stakes mount on Military Rose because he is a "Queenslander".Trainer Gillian Heinrich confirmed Rodd had beaten off several other top riders to clinch the mount because she knew him from his days as a champion apprentice in Brisbane.Rodd will warm the saddle for Military Rose's regular rider Stathi Katsidis who is suspended but will return to partner the filly in the Golden Slipper on April 3."I know Michael from

Michael Rodd is NSW born and Victorian based but he has picked up the plum Reisling Stakes mount on Military Rose because he is a "Queenslander".

Trainer Gillian Heinrich confirmed Rodd had beaten off several other top riders to clinch the mount because she knew him from his days as a champion apprentice in Brisbane.

Rodd will warm the saddle for Military Rose's regular rider Stathi Katsidis who is suspended but will return to partner the filly in the Golden Slipper on April 3.

"I know Michael from when he was a Queenslander so I'll stick with the Queenslander," Heinrich said.

"He is a great rider and I'm sure he'll do the right thing on Saturday.

"It will be just for Saturday but the good thing is he's friends with Stathi which helps because it must be very hard for a good jockey to say they'll warm the saddle."

Rodd will make the trip to Sydney in good form having won the Group One Australian Guineas aboard Rock Classic at Flemington on Saturday.

However, if he thought about testing Military Rose in trackwork ahead of the Group Two Reisling Slipper Trial (1200m) at Rosehill he had better think again.

The Gold Coast-based Heinrich, who will oversee Military Rose's final lead-up gallop at Rosehill on Tuesday morning, said Katsidis would put her through her paces.

"I don't think he'll get his butt out of the saddle," she said.

"But the filly is great. I could have run her last Saturday, she galloped really well last Tuesday morning and fitness-wise she's good for Saturday, obviously with room for improvement because she hasn't run since the Magic Millions (in January)."

There are 17 entries for the Reisling headed by Golden Slipper favourite Solar Charged who will be out to maintain her unblemished record.

Victorians Psychologist and Willow Creek along with talented filly Elimbari add further interest.

Like Solar Charged, Military Rose is unbeaten and Heinrich isn't fazed about taking on the Slipper favourite.

"Not really. The way I look at it, the filly has done an enormous job, the aim was always the Magic Millions and she won that," Heinrich said.

"I know she's going well and I'm very happy with her. Anything else she wins is a bonus."

The colts and geldings will also continue their build ups in the Todman Slipper Trial (1200m) with the race attracting 18 entries including Blue Diamond Stakes winner Star Witness and Black Opal Stakes winner Decision Time.

Neither is currently in the Golden Slipper and their respective connections will have to pay a $150,000 late entry fee for them to run.