Trainer Rob Heathcote isn’t talking up fairytales, but he remains quietly confident that his evergreen seven-year-old, Rothfire, is firing on all cylinders ahead of Saturday’s G1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m).
After claiming a Group 1 win as a two-year-old, Rothfire’s career has been as much about resilience as it has raw ability. Known as the ‘Thrilla from Chinchilla’ after the town of his birth, Rothfire suffered a devastating sesamoid fracture in the 2020 G1 Golden Rose when sent off a warm favourite, an injury that left one of his fetlocks fused and lacking mobility.
“To fully understand what a miracle horse he is, he basically runs on three legs because he suffered an injury as a short-priced favourite in the Golden Rose over four years ago as a three-year-old,” Heathcote told Andrew Le Jeune on the latest Idol Horse Podcast.
“Instead of having full, 90-degree flexion, he has about 15 degrees, so it’s quite extraordinary.”
While it has been over 16 months since Rothfire’s last success – the 10th of his career – the seven-year-old returns for a second tilt at the Doomben 10,000 after he finished fifth in the 2022 renewal behind Mazu, who is also lining up on Saturday.
His seasonal reappearance in the G2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm earlier this month offered Heathcote plenty of encouragement. After working hard to hold the lead under pressure, he boxed on gamely to finish fourth to confirm to the handler that he was still worthy of a shot at Group 1 company.
“The old boy is as good as I’ve had him in the last three years,” Heathcote said. “In the Victory, he got taken on by a couple of speedsters and the two that took him on ran last and third last. He just tired in that last 50 metres after doing it tough on the speed.
“But we have no hesitation running him in the Doomben 10,000 and Tim Clark put his hand up straight away and said, ‘I’d love to ride him.’”
Clark may have options aboard Rothfire when he jumps from barrier 13 in the 15-runner contest, with Heathcote suggesting his veteran may be able to take a sit if Bjorn Baker’s high-class Overpass blazes a trail in front.
“I knew in the Victory that he was up for the game,” he added. “In the Doomben 10,000, with Overpass and a couple of other speedsters there, maybe Tim will look at taking a trail.” ∎
