Latest news with #RobHeathcote
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Brisbane trainer Rob Heathcote eyes Melbourne spring targets for grand campaigner Rothfire
Having stabled the Stradbroke Handicap winner War Machine for the Hayes team, Brisbane trainer Rob Heathcote hopes the three brothers can return the favour this spring when he likely takes his old gladiator Rothfire to Melbourne to hunt Group 1 glory. The seven-year-old gelding had a horrible lead-up to the $3m Stradbroke over 1400m at Eagle Farm last Saturday. Firstly, the 2020 JJ Atkins champion suffered a stone bruise just 10 days before Queensland's premier race and battled to even make the field. He was forced to run on a firm track – his least favourite surface – and then champion jockey James McDonald was sick during the week and was unable to ride Rothfire at 55.5kg, meaning Craig Williams received a late call-up. Heathcote watched and heard a few horses galloping on the firm track early in the morning on Stradbroke Day and said he immediately thought 'oh, I'm in trouble here'. He contemplated scratching his stable star but opted to push on, with Rothfire running seventh, just three lengths behind the Ben, Will and JD Hayes -trained favourite War Machine. In another slice of bad luck, Williams copped a two-week suspension for careless riding in the Straddie. War Machine WINS the G1 Stradbroke Handicap! ðŸ�† Tim Clark with a flawless performance in the saddle! — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 14, 2025 • 'The good news is that Rothfire has pulled up fine and will go to the paddock now,' Heathcote said. 'He's done his job. I mean his run was huge and unfortunately for him, the track was just too firm. 'He was charging to the line and then he just feels that track. As Craig said, he could feel him wanting to let down but he just couldn't. 'He'll have a break now and I'll have a very close study of available races. 'I'm not really sure what races I'll target but obviously there are plenty of Group 1 s and he races well at Moonee Valley. 'I've now got to look at races with a bit of give in the ground.' • 'Some huge offers': Studs clamour for Cool Archie as owner dreams of Everest Heathcote could possibly send Rothfire to the $750,000 Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) and then into the $2m Manikato Stakes (1200m), both at The Valley in September. 'I'd like him to have a two or three-run prep, either in Sydney or Melbourne,' said Heathcote, who won the 2013 Manikato with his superstar Buffering. 'The advantage with me going to Melbourne is that I have a good relationship with the Hayes boys. 'Their Stradbroke winner (War Machine) stayed with me. He was stabled not far from Rothfire. 'The boys were pretty happy, Ben (Hayes) was at my stable on Sunday morning.' Too good J-Mac! He lifts Sunshine In Paris to victory in the Doomben 10,000 ðŸ'° @mcacajamez @ANeashamRacing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2025 Heathcote believed that Rothfire would have 'gone close' to winning the Stradbroke if not for the untimely injury, which put the tough-as-nails gelding out of work for several days. 'He's been such a wonderful horse,' Heathcote said of the 'Thriller from Chinchilla', who fought back from a potentially career-ending sesamoid injury in 2020. 'If he didn't have that stone bruise he would've gone close (to winning the Stradbroke). 'I had even considered scratching Rothfire. But his run was huge and full of courage on a track too firm, plus he missed that bit of work.' Rothfire has shown his trademark grit in his three races this campaign - an impressive fourth in the Group 2 Victory Stakes, a tremendous runner-up finish to star mare Sunshine In Paris in the Doomben 10,000 major and finally his Stradbroke result when he had excuses.
News.com.au
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
‘It's like Hollywood made this up': Rob Heathcote says Stradbroke win with Rothfire would top everything he has achieved
Rob Heathcote was once almost convinced he had lost Rothfire, but says it's now like 'Hollywood made this up' as his remarkable warrior horse fronts up for a $3m Stradbroke Handicap miracle. The Rothfire story has had exhilarating highs and devastating lows. In 2020, Heathcote feared that not only Rothfire's racing career was over, but his life was about to come to a tragic end. Group 1 champion Rothfire fractured his leg in the running of the Group 1 Golden Rose in Sydney, then somehow staging an incredible survival story and also returning to race at the elite level. Five years later Rothfire has overcome adversity again when an injury to his hoof looked like derailing his Group 1 Stradbroke mission. But he has defied the odds again – just like he did in 2020 when a devastated Heathcote feared the worst. 'I was resigned to having to euthanise Rothfire, when they told me that he had fractured his sesamoid,' Heathcote recalls. 'I have had horses in the past who have fractured their sesamoid and, sadly, we have had to put them down. 'I thought we were going to lose Rothfire. 'But testimony to the courage of the horse, when he fractured his sesamoid, with 200m to the winning post, he still ran fourth that day. 'It's not like he faltered and thought he was stuffed. 'He still kept going to the line, which was amazing. 'To not only survive, but to then come back and be fit enough to race and compete at Group 1 level is simply extraordinary.' • 'I won't be backing him': Owner questions Stradbroke favourite's odds Rothfire – the Thriller From Chinchilla who has captured the imagination of the Australian racing public – turned in one of the best performances of his career when only just being pipped by Sunshine In Paris and James McDonald in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 on May 17. But then trouble struck and Heathcote was almost certain his evergreen champion would not be able to take his place in the Stradbroke after a foot infection flared. Incredibly, Rothfire is now on track to line up in Queensland's greatest race and champion jockey James McDonald, who narrowly beat him last time, is booked to ride. You would think it would be impossible for Heathcote to top winning seven Group 1s – including one overseas in Dubai – with his legendary former sprint champion Buffering. But he says if Rothfire could win at his third attempt at a Stradbroke, after finishing runner-up in 2023 and third in 2022, it would be his greatest moment in racing. • Waller: J-Mac can be greatest jockey of all time 'It's kind of like Hollywood made this up,' Heathcote said. 'He had a foot problem after getting beaten in the last stride by the favourite and the number one jockey in the world in the Doomben 10,000. 'And then to defy the odds, after the vet said only eight days ago he's not going to make the Stradbroke, it's amazing. 'Here he is and he's now into $15 to win the Stradbroke. 'If he could win, without a doubt, it would top everything and be my greatest moment in racing. 'And that is simply because of Rothfire story and the horse that he is. 'The challenges that this horse has faced is not something I take lightly when I call him the miracle horse. 'You can end up with egg on your face, but I just know this horse is not going to let me down. 'He just won't.' • Lloyd eyes sibling Group 1 success on Stradbroke day As for tactics from barrier 17 – and with many speedy horses drawn out wide – Heathcote says he will just simply leave it to McDonald to work out. McDonald was the party pooper for Rothfire in the Doomben 10,000 but Heathcote is hoping an ace ride can kickstart an almighty party on Stradbroke day. 'I've got J-Mac on, it's as simple as that,' Heathcote said. 'There's your answer. 'He will look at the form and he will think ahead of some of the other riders, that's how good he is. 'I had one bloke who I respect tell me that I had just gained three lengths by putting J-Mac on Rothfire.' Queensland Racing Integrity Commission vets on Friday morning cleared Rothfire to take his place in the Stradbroke.
The Australian
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
James McDonald confirmed for Rothfire's incredible Stradbroke Handicap bid
James McDonald is set to ride Rothfire in the Stradbroke Handicap as Rob Heathcote declared his wonder horse was 'back in the game' and a strong chance of winning a race against time to line up in Queensland's most prestigious race. Hopes had been low that the 'Thriller from Chinchilla' would recover from a foot injury in time to take his place in Saturday's $3m Stradbroke at Eagle Farm. • Lindsay Park's second gun joins vaunted attack on Stradbroke However, after working the Group 1 winner on Monday morning, Heathcote feels the courageous seven-year-old sprinter is now a decent chance of taking his place in the Stradbroke. Racenet iQ members get full access to our Pro Tips service, where Greg and our team of professional punters provide daily tips with fully transparent return on investment statistics. SUBSCRIBE NOW and start punting like a pro! And Heathcote said 'James McDonald is confirmed to ride' in the latest twist in an extraordinary tale. Champion hoop McDonald sometimes has trouble netting a Stradbroke ride given the vast array of lightweights often in the field, but he will have no issue riding Rothfire at 55.5kg. 'Rothfire will of course have to pass the scrutiny of vets, but from what we saw this morning, he will,' Heathcote said. 'Rothfire was excellent this morning. 'He's done a lot of swimming and he still has to come through his Tuesday morning gallop well, but from what we saw this morning, nothing is beyond this warrior horse. 'He is one tough horse.' James McDonald has been booked to ride Rothfire in the Stradbroke Handicap. Picture: Getty Images The foot injury to Rothfire, which flared after he turned back the clock for an amazing runner-up finish behind Sunshine In Paris in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000, was only ever minor. But Heathcote said last week that although the foot infection had broken, he had felt Rothfire remained only a 'slim' chance of lining up in his third Stradbroke. • Zac on rare quest to score consecutive Stradbroke Handicaps However, there is now a growing sense of optimism. It is still far from ideal that Rothfire would be racing in a Stradbroke after missing a run in the Kingsford Smith Cup, but Heathcote said it wasn't a major issue. 'The Doomben 10,000 run was worth a week of fitness work and the swimming he has been doing has kept him up to the mark,' he said. 'His courage will fill in the cracks.' Heathcote will not make a decision as to whether he accepts with Rothfire in the Stradbroke until after a Tuesday morning track work session. Rothfire's odds in the Stradbroke have blown out since he has been under an injury cloud and he was a $34 chance on Monday morning. But after Racenet revealed Rothfire was a likely starter, and McDonald had been confirmed for the ride, Rothfire firmed to be a $21 chance. Rothfire became a Group 1 champion in 2020 when he won the JJ Atkins in his two-year-old season. He has won close to $3.5m in prizemoney, despite suffering several major injury setbacks including a sesamoid fracture several years ago which had threatened to end his career.
News.com.au
08-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
'One tough horse': Rothfire 'back in the game' for Stradbroke Handicap
There could be another remarkable twist to the Rothfire story with Rob Heathcote declaring his wonder horse is 'back in the game' in a race against time to line up in Saturday's Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap. Hopes had been low that the 'Thriller from Chinchilla' would recover from a foot injury in time to take his place in Queensland's most prestigious race. However, after working the Group 1 winner on Monday morning, Heathcote feels the courageous seven-year-old sprinter is now a decent chance of lining up in Saturday's $3m Stradbroke. 'He will of course have to pass the scrutiny of vets, but from what we saw this morning, he will,' Heathcote said. 'Rothfire was excellent this morning. 'He's done a lot of swimming and he still has to come through his Tuesday morning gallop well, but from what we saw this morning, nothing is beyond this warrior horse. 'He is one tough horse.' The foot injury to Rothfire, which flared after he turned back the clock for an amazing runner-up finish behind Sunshine In Paris in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000, was only ever minor. But Heathcote said last week that although the foot infection had broken, he had felt Rothfire remained only a 'slim' chance of lining up in his third Stradbroke. However there is now a growing sense of optimism. It is still far from ideal that Rothfire would be racing in a Stradbroke after missing a run in the Kingsford Smith Cup, but Heathcote said it wasn't a major issue. 'The Doomben 10,000 run was worth a week of fitness work and the swimming he has been doing has kept him up to the mark,' he said. 'His courage will fill in the cracks.' Too good J-Mac! He lifts Sunshine In Paris to victory in the Doomben 10,000 ðŸ'° @mcacajamez @ANeashamRacing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2025 Heathcote will not make a decision as to whether he accepts with Rothfire in the Stradbroke until after a Tuesday morning track work session. Rothfire's odds in the Stradbroke have blown out since he has been under an injury cloud and he is currently a $34 chance. Rothfire became a Group 1 champion in 2020 when he won the JJ Atkins in his two-year-old season. He has won close to $3.5m in prizemoney, despite suffering several major injury setbacks including a sesamoid fracture several years ago which had threatened to end his career.
News.com.au
05-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Rob Heathcote still hopeful Rothfire can recover in time for Stradbroke Handicap
Recovering Rothfire is some chance of conjuring a Stradbroke Handicap 'miracle' after improving 'enormously' when a foot infection broke. Trainer Rob Heathcote said his remarkable Group 1 warrior is a 'slim chance' to line up in the Stradbroke on Saturday week but his prospects have improved. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Heathcote gave Racenet permission to publish video of Rothfire swimming and walking and also an image of the area of concern in his hoof. 'Rothfire has improved enormously, he was swimming this morning,' Heathcote told Racenet. 'The infection was tracked to a coronet band (soft, fleshy area at the top of the hoof where the hoof wall grows) and it (the infection) broke out. 'He's not 100 per cent, but improved enormously when this happened. 'It was a miracle that he raced on earlier in his career after sesamoid fractures and surgery. 'He now needs another miracle to make the race. 'He will not run unless 100 per cent sound. 'I am still happy with his fitness levels.' Heathcote said Rothfire would still need to pass vet and stewards checks but if he continued to improve in the next 48 hours, he was a chance to take his place in the Group 1 Stradbroke on Saturday week. Seven-year-old marvel Rothfire, coined the 'Thriller from Chinchilla', turned back the clock when producing an incredible run in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 to only narrowly be beaten by Sunshine In Paris. But he then suffered what Heathcote initially believed was a stone bruise. In latest betting, Rothfire is a $26 chance in the Stradbroke on Saturday week. He had been slated to race in the Kingsford Smith Cup, which was originally meant to be raced last Saturday, until the issue surfaced.
