By Glenn Davis
When you’re on a good thing – stick to it.
That old commercial applies to trainer Robbie Heathcote who hopes to continue his impressive strike rate at Ipswich on Wednesday.
Heathcote, a five-times Brisbane premiership winning trainer, has struggled in recent years to regain his momentum with his favourite track Eagle Farm out of action.
While Heathcote may have missed out winning the trainers’ premiership in recent times to arch rival Tony Gollan, he still has been among the leading trainers each season.
He is currently second on the Brisbane premiership table with 11 wins, just two wins behind leader Toby Edmonds and one win ahead of fellow Eagle Farm trainer Steve O’dea on 10 wins.
Gollan has had an uncharacteristic slow start to the season and sits fifth on the premiership ladder with eight wins.
Heathcote’s recent strike rate couldn’t be more impressive with five wins from his past 10 starters.
He notched up a double with his latest staying discovery Monaco Snob and Zofonic Dancer at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
“I’ve had a good start to the season but it’s always difficult to maintain momentum,” Heathcote said.
Heathcote has three runners lining up at Ipswich with Downloading in the Carlton Mid Class Four Handicap (1666m), Love And Rock It in the River 94.9 FM Class Two Handicap (1200m) and Page One in the Schweppes Maiden Handicap (1666m).
Heathcote expects strong performances from Downloading, who has placed at his past two starts at Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast and Love And Rock It, who is resuming.
“Downloading is coming back to form after a poor preparation last campaign,” Heathcote said.
“He’s a half brother to Buffering and is no super star but he’s racing more consistently now.
“It was a nice run from his last start and he was just beaten by a better one on the day.”
Heathcote believes Love And Rock It is well up to winning at the metropolitan midweeks.
“He was a Saturday class winner as a three-year-old and has the ability to perform well regularly against Saturday grade,” he said.
“He’s first-up but he won a trial recently and his form was good last time in.”
Heathcote admits Page One has been disappointing although he has five placings in 13 starts including a last start fifth at the Sunshine Coast on September 12.
“He has been a bit disappointing as I thought he would be a 1400 metre horse,” Heathcote said.
“But he’s been a little one paced so he’s showing he might want further.”
Racing Queensland webnews September 24