The “no vacancy” sign was up when part-owner Peter Price rang to ask trainer Rob Heathcote if he had room in his stable for former Victorian galloper Funded.
Heathcote initially rejected the caller’s offer but is now thankful Price, who runs a navy supplies company, never hung up.
Funded will make his Queensland debut in the Kedron Wavell Services Club Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on Wednesday with Heathcote hopeful of a strong showing.
“I had never spoken to or heard of Peter when he rang asking me if I had room to train Funded,” Heathcote said.
“I told him the only way I could take him was if I stacked a few of my horses on top of each other.
“But once he told me Funded had just won a Geelong maiden by four lengths and was a son of Zabeel which he bought off Lloyd Williams for $60,000, I soon made room.”
Heathcote believes Funded’s new owners are in for a fun time once the four-year-old steps up further in distance in Queensland.
Funded began his career with Robert Hickmott and finished a creditable fourth on debut in a 1400-metre maiden at Bendigo on August 4 before stepping up to 2100 metres in his easy maiden victory at Geelong on August 26.
“He’s a nice horse and I’ve only had him for 10 weeks,” Heathcote said.
“I barrier trialled him at Doomben last week and he’ll probably find this trip a little short.
“He’ll be doing his best work at the end of this race but I’d like to think he can go through the grades here.
“I’m still on a learning curve with him but he should be competitive.”
Heathcote has five runners engaged at Doomben and rates Fire Up Fifi in the IPCG Handicap (1350m) as one of his best chances.
Fire Up Fifi dead-heated with Raise Up to score first-up over 1200 metres at Eagle Farm last month before finishing a close fifth to Skating On Ice in a strong race over 1200 metres at Doomben on November 5.
“She’s racing very well and it was a good effort behind Skating On Ice last start when she was beaten only two lengths,” Heathcote said.
“This is a drop back in class for her but the step up in distance is in her favour.
“She’s got a bit of weight with fifty-seven and a half kilos but hopefully barrier one will offset that to some degree.”
AAP TURF
