Heinrich excited by prospects of former $2.8 million yearling

By Jordan Gerrans

A new lease on life at the Gold Coast has trainer Gillian Heinrich thinking former expensive Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase Mount Fuji can make the grade in Queensland.

The son of Snitzel had four starts in NSW for the Snowden team without breaking through after being acquired as a $2.8 million yearling.

After plenty of expectations and spotlight was placed on Mount Fuji in his first few trips to the races, he is now settling into a quieter life at Aquis Park on the Gold Coast.

Experienced trainer Heinrich picked up the four-year-old chestnut for $75,000 through Inglis' 2021 August (Early) Online Sale recently. 

Heinrich, a winner of the Magic Millions Classic in 2010 with star filly Military Rose, is hopeful of getting Mount Fuji to the races in the Sunshine State in around a month.

“We purchased Mount Fuji four weeks ago and he has settled into the Gold Coast life absolutely beautifully,” she said.

“He seems to love it here with the sun on his back.

“He is very, very relaxed and we have not had any problems with him.

“We have just started to gallop him and he will go to the trials in about a fortnight.”

Mount Fuji has run in the money twice from four race efforts and has not been seen at the races since he finished third at Randwick's Kensington track in late July of this year.

Speaking before his debut at the start of 2020, co-trainer Peter Snowden had high hopes for Mount Fuji before his time with their stable came to an end around 18 months later.

"The family are pretty proven there, quick horses," Snowden said at the time.

"There's no pressure to get him anywhere. His price tag suggests we need to be…not careful what we do with him, but assess the horse first and foremost from run to run and see where he wants to fit in.

"If it's too early, you just give them time.

"He seems to do everything quite comfortably."

Heinrich’s stable newcomer will have lesser expectations on him at his second stable, according to his new trainer.

“He loves it, he absolutely loves it here,” she said.

“We are only a small stable so there is plenty of room for individual attention – which is something that a horse like him will like.

“I could not be happier with the way he is going.

“I am sure he will win races up here as he will be going into easier class races up here compared to what he raced down south, obviously a $2.8 million horse – unless he is going to be a Group winner, it is not really what they are looking for.”

The Heinrich team has Miss Hustle accepted on Wednesday at Eagle Farm in the Maiden Handicap over 1400 metres before they have three gallopers nominated across two different tracks for this Saturday.