Abounding launches Group 1 winter plan in Sydney

By Glenn Davis

A grand plan to win a Group 1 during the Queensland Racing Carnival will begin when star mare Abounding starts at Randwick on Saturday.

Abounding - a Tommy Berry mount - makes her comeback in the Group 3 Wenona Girl Quality over 1200 metres.

The five-year-old hasn’t started since finishing ninth to Pride Of Jenni in the Group 1 Empire Rose at Flemington last November.

Trainer Robert Heathcote is delighted with Abounding ahead of her Sydney assignment and is keen for her to claim her maiden Group 1 before embarking on a stud career.

“She’s going super and was very impressive winning two barrier trials at Doomben last month,” Heathcote said.

“She trialled like a bomb so I couldn’t be happier the way she’s going.

“Both her trial wins were outstanding and she’s in a good frame of mind.”

Heathcote anticipates Abounding with only have one start in Sydney before heading for a short break ahead of the Queensland winter.

“It’s a bit of a hit-and-run mission and I think she’ll only have the one Sydney start,” Heathcote said.

“Her main aim is the Stradbroke Handicap and Tatt’s Tiara.

"But, I want to give her space before the Queensland winter as I want to win a Group 1 before she eventually goes to the breeding ban.

“She’s only five, so she could still race on until she’s seven before she retires to stud but it all depends on if she can win a Group 1.”

Heathcote believes Abounding has nothing more to prove in her career outside winning at the highest level.

“She’s got nothing to prove really,” he said.

‘She’s been Group 1 placed, won a Magic Millions Guineas and is a highly valuable breeding prospect.”

Heathcote also revealed star galloper Rothfire is back at his stables and will soon begin work ahead of another shot at the Stradbroke Handicap.

The eight-year-old has run in three Stradbroke’s, finishing third to Alligator Blood in 2022, second to Think About It the following year and seventh to War Machine last year.

“He’s just about to start working again after he returned from a break and he’s getting ready for the Victory Stakes, Doomben 10,000 and Stradbroke again,” Heathcote said.

“The old fella is having one more crack at the winter.”

Rothfire showed the effects of a long campaign at his last start when he tailed off last in The Buffering at Eagle Farm in early January.