After riding his second winner of the day, Jim Byrne was full of praise for Barossa Rosa's gutsy showing, following her victory in the Magic Millions Nudgee Stakes by the barest of margins.

The five-year-old mare hit the front at the 200m mark in the 1200m Listed sprint worth $200,000 and showed plenty of heart to hang on and win as the $26 outsider for Tracey Bartley.

Fellow five-year-old Salateen for Tony Gollan was pipped at the post in what was a thrilling finish by the two mares.

2022 Nudgee Stakes Replay – Barossa Rosa

As a reward for Barossa Rosa's courage, she will be receive a wildcard entry into the $1 million Magic Millions Fillies & Mares (1300m) feature sprint on the Gold Coast on January 14.

Byrne thought it was touch-and-go when his mount found the front position at the 200m mark, which was why he was so pleased with her performance.

“She was entitled to concede, but she didn't,” he told Sky Racing.

“She stuck to her guns. She saw Salateen coming at her and she really stuck to her guns.”

Byrne and Bartley's tactic to push forward early – Barossa Rosa was second at the 400m mark – was a masterstroke.

“They don't pay you by margins,” experienced Group 1-winning hoop Byrne said with a smile.

“Tracey's done a great job with this horse.

“The first thing we said was ‘we've got to work a bit – it's a long way to come to go back.

“So we just elected to roll forward – I couldn't get cover.”

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