Robert Heathcote has issued a plea to the handicapper after Fire Up Fifi’s win in the Just Now Quality at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Heathcote will start Fire Up Fifi in the Bernborough Handicap (1600m) at Doomben on December 29 but believes the weight she is given will have a major bearing on her chances.
“My goal all along with her has been the Bernborough and today was a little bonus,” Heathcote said.
“I hope the handicapper’s a little bit kind to her because she looked like getting in on the minimum and I hope that’s still the case.”
The Bernborough is also the goal for stablemate Fillydelphia who ran an unlucky fourth in the Just Now, according to Heathcote.
“I ran second in the race last year with Fillydelphia who was beaten a nose and she was desperately unlucky today,” he said.
“If she’d have got out she would’ve made it very interesting.”
Fire Up Fifi won the Just Now by a long head, spoiling a fairytale end to the career of Jester’s Girl, who is in foal to Magic Albert.
Ryan Wiggins admits he was sceptical about Fire Up Fifi’s prospects of winning the Just Now but praised the mare’s courage.
“She’s just a real little trier and one of those horses who gives you a really good buzz,” he said.
“I tought today’s race was probably too short for her but at the 600 metres it was just a matter of getting out.
“You’ll see the best of her when she steps up to a mile.”
