Rothfire embarks on Spring campaign
OUTSTANDING Queensland sprinter Rothfire today embarks on his spring campaign, leaving Brisbane for Sydney, after lighting up the Doomben course proper in an exhibition gallop last Saturday.
This morning’s acceptances confirmed the now four-year-old gelding who fractured his sesamoid bone in last year’s Golden Rose, will make his much anticipated return to racing in the Group 2 The Shorts at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
It was fitting a crowd of over 3,000 at the BRC’s Country Music Raceday was there to witness the ‘Thrilla from Chinchilla’ reel off a 33.02 second last 600m in what would be his last piece of serious work in Queensland before making the southbound trip today.
Rothfire has won seven of his nine starts including the 2020 Group 1 JJ Atkins.
Rob Heathcote has made no secret of his desire to target Rothfire at the 2021 TAB Everest, having missed out on a certain start last year because of the injury sustained when he was a long odds-on favourite in the Golden Rose.
Based on two impressive trial wins at Doomben and assurances the son of Rothesay is back as good as ever, Everest slot holder James Kennedy locked in Rothfire for the $15 million race and TAB are keeping the horse they call ‘Rothy’ safe in its futures market.
The Kennedy Group slot holder is currently occupying the fifth line of betting at $11, one spot above this year’s Doomben 10,000 winner Eduardo.
In a recent interview with the BRC’s Nathan Exelby, trainer Robert Heathcote expressed his confidence in the geldings’ ability to make it back to the top level.
“If he’s come through that and recovered I’ve got no doubt he can win the Everest,” he said.
Ben Thompson, who has ridden Rothfire in his two trials, also sang the gelding’s praises after his most recent hitout.
“He is the ultimate professional and supreme competitor,” Thompson said.
“He ticked the boxes again today, couldn’t have trialled any better and all perfect now heading into his first up run.”
After Saturday’s gallop, anticipation is high among Rothfire’s army of fans that the ‘Thrilla from Chinchilla’ can return to his brutal best.
The BRC wishes Rob Heathcote and all connections the very best of luck this weekend.
Below Ben Dorries speaks to Rob Heathcote on Sky Racing's Trek to The Everest