Heathcote chasing more Victory Stakes success

By Glenn Davis

Group 1-winning trainer Robert Heathcote is hopeful of hitting the target with his first Queensland Racing Carnival bullets in the Group 2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Heathcote’s old warrior Rothfire and last year’s Magic Millions Guineas-winner Abounding launch their winter carnival campaigns in the 1200 metre Weight for Age feature.

Rothfire is a veteran Weight for Age performer and will be chasing his second Victory Stakes win after claiming the race two years ago.

In contrast, Abounding has had one start at Weight for Age level when she finished fourth to the Ciaron Maher-trained Bella Nipotina in last year’s Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara at Eagle Farm.

Heathcote is the most successful Victory Stakes trainer in the past 25 years with three wins from Rothfire (2022) along with his multiple Group 1-winner Buffering who claimed the trophy in 2010 and 2012.

Rothfire - a Mark Du Plessis mount - won a jump-out at Eagle Farm in early April which pleased Heathcote while Abounding also was an impressive winner in her heat the same day.

Rothfire hasn’t raced since finishing fourth to the Tony Gollan-trained Transatlantic in The Buffering at Eagle Farm in late December.

“We know it’s race-by-race and week-by-week with Rothfire and he’s better off in Weight for Age races these days,” Heathcote said.

“They’ve both have had a trial and a jump-out and I’m very happy with them going into this race.

“I’m a realist and I know it’s going to be very hard during the winter, but I’ve got two very serious chances."

Heathcote conceded Rothfire was past his best but refused to throw in the white towel in the Victory Stakes.

“He’s past his best but he’s such a competitor you can never write him off and he’ll be highly competitive again,” Heathcote said.

Heathcote is reluctant to plan too far ahead into the winter with Rothfire unlike Abounding.

Abounding's goal is the Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara at Eagle Farm. 

“The Tatt’s Tiara is her main goal and there’s some nice races along the way for her,” Heathcote said.

“If her form warrants it there’s even a chance, she might have a go at the Stradbroke if she can get in. I feel she’s a genuine Group horse.”