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Heathcote chases Villiers-Bernborough double with Hopfgarten

14 December 2017

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By Glenn Davis

Racing Queensland’s summer bonuses has helped sway trainer Rob Heathcote into starting Hopfgarten in the Group 2 Villiers Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

Hopfgarten drew barrier 14 for the 1600-metre feature.

“I thought about not going after the draw but the incentives are still there so he’ll run,” Heathcote said.

“There’s a $100,000 bonus if he wins the Villiers and Bernborough Handicap and there’s a $50,000 bonus if he places in the Villiers and wins the Bernborough.

“It’s disappointing and our chances have nosedived after the barrier draw.

“But he drew the same barrier in last year’s Villiers and ran home strongly to run fifth, only two lengths away.”

Hopfgarten showed he had lost none of his old zest when he won at Doomben in October and has lived up to that form with two recent Stakes placings in the Recognition Stakes and Brisbane Handicap at Doomben.

“He’s a good miler and the big Randwick track will suit him,” Heathcote said.

“He’s definitely capable of winning the Villiers but he’ll need a lot of luck and a good ride from Christian Reith.”

Heathcote will have a big team running at Doomben and favours Privlaka as his best hope in the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes (1350m).

Privlaka-3.JPG

“Privlaka is one of my more exciting horses in the stable and his form is super,” Heathcote said.

“His last win was great and he really hit the line strongly.

“It’s a hard race but he’s still one of my best chances at Doomben.”

Queensland also will be represented in the Villiers by the Liam Birchley-trained Crack Me Up who drew ideally in barrier two.

Crack Me Up has been in sizzling form since winning the Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas and Listed Tatt’s Mile during the Brisbane winter carnival.

Crack-Me-Up-2.JPGThe four-year-old finished an eye-catching second in his comeback run at Doomben last month before claiming last month’s Listed Recognition Stakes (1600m) at Doomben.

Birchley has overlooked his last start effort when fourth to Cantbuybetter in the Listed Brisbane Handicap (1600m) last week.

Like Heathcote, Birchley is targeting the Villiers Stakes-Bernborough Handicap bonuses with Crack Me Up.

Racing Queensland webnews - December 14