Wet to see 'Rothy' fire in Stradbroke

By Craig Brennan, Danny Matthews and Trent Crebbin

With three seconds under his belt in the Stradbroke, trainer Robert Heathcote has dual representation in Queensland’s great race at Eagle Farm.

Trainer Heathcote was not unhappy to see the rain falling in Brisbane as Rothfire prepares for the Stradbroke Handicap. 

Rothfire worked at Eagle Farm on Tuesday ahead of Saturday's Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap over 1400 metres in which the 'old marvel' drew barrier 13 in the 23-horse field that has a capacity of 18 runners plus five emergencies. 

The rising nine-year-old will jump from barrier 12 if the emergencies do not gain a start and will be ridden by Brad Rawiller.

Rawiller has partnered Rothfire in his past two starts, winning the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 on May 16 before finishing seventh in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm on May 30.

"He's an old marvel," Heathcote said. 

“He’s a legend now for what he’s done — to have the longest span from winning a Group 1 as a two-year-old through to winning one as an eight-year-old.”

Heathcote said it would be a dream result to finally win the Stradbroke with Rothfire, after finishing second with the evergreen galloper in 2023.

The trainer also saddled Buffering, who ran second twice in the race in 2012 and 2013.

“It is our toughest race to win, no doubt. It’s one of the toughest handicaps in Australia and I know how hard it is because I’ve run second in it three times,” Heathcote said.

“Buffering ran second twice, Rough Habit carried plenty of weight in his attempt and with Rothfire a couple of years ago we drew barrier 18 and ran second to Think About It.

“It’s a really tough race, no doubting that, but we’re really happy with the old boy.

"He worked super on Tuesday morning. He loved that Soft 7 on Tuesday morning when he worked with Abounding and to win it would be a career highlight. 

"A nice (Soft) six would be perfect but if it dries, which this track has amazing drying qualities, it will also suit him." 

Heathcote will also saddle last start BRC Sprint champion Abounding in Saturday's feature handicap. 

Abounding has drawn barrier 15, but will jump from the gate next to her stablemate if the emergencies do not gain a start. 

Tyler Schiller has been booked to ride Abounding. 

There was little change in the market following the barrier draw with Headley Grange ($5) remaining at the top of the market after drawing gate eight. 

Fangirl (barrier 11) and Regal Award (barrier nine) share the second line of betting at $6.50 with all other runners quoted $11 or longer. 

Meanwhile, the Stradbroke Handicap is one of the great Australian Group 1 handicaps.

It boasts a full field of 18, a decent spread in the weights and a wide-open betting market.

Handicap races at times produce the best contests on the calendar and the Stradbroke is no exception.

The key lead up is typically the Kingsford Smith Cup over 1300 metres, which was won this year by Headley Grange.

Since the race effectively switched with the Doomben 10,000 in 2017, a somewhat surprisingly low three Stradbroke winners have come through the Kingsford Smith from 47 total runners.