By Craig Brennan
Blake Shinn is Brisbane bound to ride Rothfire in the Kingsford Smith Cup.
In-form Melbourne jockey Blake Shinn has been booked for the ride on Rothfire in his upcoming Group 1 engagement.
Rothfire is set to contest the Kingsford Smith Cup over 1300 metres at Eagle Farm on Saturday for which he is the second favourite in latest markets.
The Robert Heathcote-trained gelding has been plagued by injuries throughout his career after missing the majority of his three-year-old year.
Rothfire ran fourth in last year's Kingsford Smith behind Apache Chase before going on to finish third behind Alligator Blood in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap over 1400 metres at Eagle Farm last June.
The Stradbroke Handicap will be run on June 10 this year and is potentially on Rothfire's agenda.
Shinn said the ride on Rothfire came about after Nash Rawiller, who won the Group 2 Victory Stakes over 1200 metres at Eagle Farm on April 29 on the sprinter, decided to stick with Eduardo in Saturday's race.
"The stable approached us and I thought it was a great opportunity to travel up there," Shinn said.
"He's a horse that I think is destined to win a Group 1 and really deserves it and the 1300 metres at Eagle Farm, I think he's well placed.
"He's been plagued by injuries his whole career, so it would be fitting if he could do it."
Yet to win at Group 1 level, Rothfire has been competitive at the highest level and has filled placings in last year's Stradbroke Handicap, and the Manikato Stakes over 1200 metres at Moonee Valley.