Heathcote tips bright future for Caspernova

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Robert Heathcote believes progressive sprinter Caspernova has a bright future but is content to go through the grades before hopefully testing the gelding at stakes level.

Caspernova will clash with stablemate Hoot ‘N’ Holler when he resumes from a short break in the Class 5 Handicap over 1110 metres at Doomben on Wednesday.

The four-year-old son of Spirit Of Boom has won four of his nine starts but will be stepping out for the first time since finishing fourth in a 1200 metre Class 4 Plate at the Gold Coast in the middle of March.

Heathcote believes Caspernova is on the right path to greater things.

“He’s blessed with talent and he’s clearly got a good record already,” Heathcote said.

“The plan with him is just to go through the grades to open company at this stage.

“He’s got to keep improving but he’s got that stakes-level quality about him.”

Heathcote has given Caspernova a barrier trial to prepare him for his first-up assignment.

“He’s had a barrier trial at Doomben which he won nicely so I’m expecting him to be very competitive,” Heathcote said.

“He’s owned by Adrenaline Thoroughbreds who have been fantastic stable supporters.

“I’ve had a lot of success with them over a long time and they own Prince Of Boom."

Caspernova won a Benchmark race at Eagle Farm in the middle of February to complete a hat-trick of wins.

He has only missed a place twice in his short career including his latest effort at the Gold Coast when beaten less than three lengths.

Heathcote also is hopeful of a strong performance from Hoot ‘N’ Holler who hasn’t raced since tailing a field of 11 in an 1110 metre Benchmark race at Doomben in late February.

“Hoot ‘N’ Holler is going well and also trialled well when she ran third behind Caspernova at Doomben,” Heathcote said.

“She’s already a Saturday winner but I’d have to favour Caspernova of the two.”

Heathcote had no luck with his champion sprinter Rothfire who finished a brave seventh in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday.