Latest news with #Rothfire
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
14-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Craig Williams cops suspension on Stradbroke Handicap pick-up ride
Craig Williams ' late Group 1 pick-up ride on Rothfire has resulted in the champion Victorian jockey being suspended for 14 days. Williams had been set to ride Gary Portelli's mare Kimochi in the Stradbroke Handicap until the Yulong-owned mare injured her tendon on Friday. He was then without a Stradbroke ride but gained one when James McDonald, who has been battling illness, was unable to make the weight on Rothfire. However, the story had a sting in its tail with Williams suspended for careless riding for a back straight incident where Spicy Martini was tightened up. Cejay Graham also came to the attention of stewards and was suspended for 14 days for careless riding on King Kapa in the Hinkler Handicap.
Herald Sun
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Rob Heathcote says Stradbroke win with Rothfire would top everything he has achieved
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. 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. • 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! 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.' Ollie Peoples riding Rothfire at Nudgee Beach this week ahead of the $3m Stradbroke Handicap on Saturday. Picture: Nigel Hallett • '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.' Rob Heathcote – Rothfire at Nudgee Beach for Saturday's paper for Stradbroke Cup (** Ollie Peoples riding Rothfire **). Picture: Nigel Hallett • 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. Originally published as 'It's like Hollywood made this up': Rob Heathcote says Stradbroke win with Rothfire would top everything he has achieved
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.
News.com.au
13-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
James McDonald's bid for Group 1 record at Stradbroke Handicap meeting in doubt because of illness
Champion jockey James McDonald is battling illness but has vowed to do everything he can to ride at Eagle Farm on Saturday. McDonald was too ill to ride at Wednesday's Kensington meeting and was still obviously unwell when he spoke to News Corp on Friday. But the superstar jockey remains hopeful he can ride at Eagle Farm where he has bookings in seven races including Rothfire in the Group 1 $3m Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) and Hidden Achievement in the Group 1 $1m JJ Atkins (1400m). Just a week after McDonald helped Chris Waller set a national training record for most Group 1 wins in a season, the jockey has the chance to equal or break a national record himself on Saturday. McDonald needs just one more major to equal 'Miracle' Malcolm Johnston's longstanding national Group 1 riding record of 16 majors in a season that has stood since 1979-80. 'I haven't been feeling well since Wednesday,'' McDonald said. 'I don't know what it is, some sort of virus. 'But I'll be doing my best to ride. I will be doing everything I can to be there. 'Put it this way, it would take a lot for me to miss a big day like Stradbroke day. I want to get there to ride in the first race and see how I go.'' McDonald's first ride is in the Eagle Farm opener, the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic (1600m) on the Chris Waller-trained Emirate. His other rides are Etna Rosso in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (3200m), Quietly Arrogant in the Listed Oxlade Stakes (1200m), Firestorm in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m) and Militarize in the Group 2 Q22 (2200m). McDonald has had a sensational 2024-25 and rode his 15th Australian Group 1 winner on Joliestar in the Kingsford Smith Cup last week. He's also ridden six Group 1 winners overseas. Joliestar provided Waller with a record 19th Group 1 win for the season. J-MAC'S STRADBROKE DAY RIDES Race 1: Emirate, Group 3 Gunsynd Classic (1600m), $3.40 Race 3: Etna Rosso, Group 2 Brisbane Cup (3200m), $3 Race 4: Quietly Arrogant, Listed Oxlade Stakes (1200m), $3.70 Race 6: Hidden Achievement, Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m), $6 Race 7: Firestorm, Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes, (1300m), $4.20
