By Glenn Davis
The Listed Bernborough Handicap has been a hoodoo race to date for trainer Rob Heathcote but he’s hopeful Hopfgarten can correct the record at his fourth attempt at Doomben on Saturday.
Hopfgarten will spearhead a big Heathcote team at Doomben after returning from a failed mission for the Group 2 Villiers Stakes at Randwick on December 16.
The five-year-old finished ninth to fellow Queenslander Crack Me Up who has dodged the Bernborough and the chance of a $100,000 bonus to concentrate on the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 13.
Hopfgarten is following the same path as last year when the gelding finished fifth to Sense Of Occasion in the Villiers before returning home to run third to the ill-fated Cylinder Beach in last year’s Bernborough Handicap which was run at Eagle Farm.
“I haven’t had much luck in the Bernborough over the years though Hopfgarten did run third last year,” Heathcote said.
“Hopfgarten has run in this race three times now including once when it was run at Toowoomba so here’s hoping fourth time is lucky.”
Heathcote wasn’t disappointed with Hopfgarten’s Villiers Stakes effort when he went down just over three lengths.
He was beaten two lengths by Sense Of Occasion in last year’s Villiers after having to travel wide throughout.
“I thought his Villiers run was super but I’m disappointed he’s drawn poorly again,” he said.
“He’s had a life of big weights and bad alleys.”
Heathcote has a big team of nine runners entered for Doomben but luck has gone against him in the barrier draw with several runners.
He has Femme Fireball (barrier five) and Pinch Passion (17) both striving to qualify for next month’s $1 million Magic Millions Trophy (1400m) at the Gold Coast.
“Femme Fireball has been a revelation for the stable and has taken time to come to hand,” he said.
“But any horse who can win three straight has a good level of ability.
“He’s one who has drawn a decent gate and from barrier five he won’t need to be as far back in this race.
“On the other hand Pinch Passion has 17 and he’ll need a lot of luck.
“Both horses need to finish first or second to get into the Magic Millions Guineas.”
Femme Fireball burst onto the Magic Millions Guineas scene with an explosive win at the Gold Coast last Saturday while Pinch Passion is coming off a last start Class Three defeat at Doomben on December 16.
Racing Queensland webnews December 28