A horse which could not get to the races in Sydney has found a new lease of life in Queensland.
Coworth Park scored his fifth win and his first in Saturday company in the Sky Racing Hcp (2100m) at Doomben.
The gelding is raced by Vicki Heathcote and trained by her husband Robert Heathcote who can’t keep the smile off his face when discussing Coworth Park.
“He was originally bought by one of Australia’s best known owners in Rob Willis,” Heathcote said.
“But his trainer John Hawkes rated Coworth Park one of the slowest horses he had ever seen.
Coworth Park had two barrier trials for the Hawkes team and another for Chris Waller before being put up for sale.
“We got him for a song and I must admit it has been a work in progress but he is getting there,” Heathcote said.
“I have no doubt he can progress to open company and who knows from there.”
Heathcote said the key to Coworth Park had been giving him time to mature and travel.
“We took him up to Toowoomba to win a race. He’s been to the Sunshine Coast and Ipswich,” he said. “It has helped him learn what racing is all about.”
His win on Saturday helped Heathcote maintain a three win lead over Tony Gollan in the Brisbane trainers’ premiership.
Although it is early in the season it is evident Heathcote and Gollan are set for another big battle for the title.
Gollan wrested the premiership from Heathcote last season.
“I probably haven’t got the numbers to beat Tony and he is away at the moment with his team in the south,” Heathcote said.
“But it is good to keep the young bloke on his toes.”
Heathcote leads 12-9 after Gollan scored with Bush Aviator at Doomben on Saturday.
