It’s Rob Heathcote’s theory that only above-average horses generally win on debut.
Heathcote, who landed his first Group One with Woorim in last month’s Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield, hopes his assessment will ring true following Rock Academy’s debut win at Doomben on Wednesday.
Rock Academy only won by a long neck over Someday in the Blackwoods Maiden Plate (1020m) but there was a lot to like about the gelding’s performance.
The son of Fastnet Rock showed blistering speed to lead and when challenged in the straight did enough and looked to be toying with the runner-up.
“It’s been my experience over the years that has taught me they’ve got to be very smart to win on debut,” Heathcote said.
“I’ve had horses like Buffering, Woorim and Funtantes all win their debuts and they’ve gone on to be very smart and this bloke will hopefully go the same way.
“It was a very tidy performance and he did everything right.”
Jockey Damian Browne, who won the Oakleigh Plate on Woorim, gave Rock Academy his tick of approval.
“He’s only going to get better with racing,” Browne said.
“He’s still learning and has a long way to go yet but he’s got a very bright future.
“I’ve no doubt he’ll go through the grades and win some nice races later on.”
Browne gave Rock Academy’s connections only one warning after the victory.
“He got through the wet track OK but he’ll be better on top of the ground,” he said.
Rock Academy was bought for $150,000 by Grant Morgan’s Ontrack Thoroughbreds at the ready-to-run sale at the Gold Coast in 2010.
“He’s been a work in progress and has been fairly dopey,” Morgan said.
“He was originally with Trevor Bailey before he moved to Newcastle.
“Trevor did a great job with him before he left about six weeks ago but the owners voted to keep him in Queensland rather than go south.”
Morgan’s Ontrack Thoroughbreds’s stable has grown to 20 horses with seven of them stabled with Heathcote.
Meanwhile, former Sydneysider More Bubbly proved she had more wins in store following her easy three-length success in the CRC Maiden Plate (1020m).
The daughter of More Than Ready, who was having her first start since November, has been racing in much stronger company in Sydney for trainer John Thompson before being sent north to break her maiden status.
Four starts back, More Bubbly finished seventh to Streama in the Group Two Tea Rose (1500m) at Rosehill in September.
“She couldn’t keep up with them early and the more she steps up in distance the better she’s going to be,” apprentice Tim Bell said.
Thompson’s stable foreman Brett Killion won’t be surprised to see More Bubbly go through the grades in Brisbane.
