Rob Heathcote has rated Fillydelphia as Queensland’s best mare on the eve of launching her winter carnival campaign in the Listed Hinkler Quality Handicap at Eagle Farm.
And Heathcote is backing his high ranking of Fillydelphia with plans to aim her for the Group One Tatt’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm in June.
“Now that we have lost Zero Rock, I think Fillydelphia is the best mare in Queensland,” Heathcote said.
“She’s just got the edge on the others here and she’s got the potential to win a big race during the winter.
“Her best distance is probably 1600 metres but she’s very effective anywhere between 1200 metres and 2000 metres.
“That opens the doors for a lot of races with her. She’s very versatile.
“I plan to vary her program as she goes along but she’s being aimed at the Tatt’s Tiara and she’ll be nominated for the Stradbroke.”
The Group One Tatt’s Tiara (1400m) will be run at Eagle Farm on June 23, two weeks after the Group One Stradbroke Handicap over the same distance on the same track.
Zero Rock had been regarded as Queensland’s best mare until her career came to an end when she was hurt in the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes at Doomben in December.
Fillydelphia hasn’t raced since her narrow defeat by Kontiki Park in the Listed Bernborough Handicap (1615m) at Doomben the same month.
She previously finished third in the Listed Recognition Stakes (1600m) and won the Listed Brisbane Handicap (1630m) at Doomben during the summer.
Heathcote expects a strong first-up performance from Fillydelphia but conceded he had some concerns with the 1200-metre trip.
“She’s going to be very competitive but I’m a little concerned 1200 metres might be a shade short,” he said.
Heathcote is also oozing confidence about Funtantes’ prospects in the Listed Juanmo Stakes (1200m).
Funtantes was narrowly beaten by Cariad at her second start this campaign in the Listed Bright Shadow Quality (1200m) at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago.
“I was over the moon to see her return to top form last start,” Heathcote said.
“She had an outside barrier that day and was left in front on the home turn with her big weight.
“The winner (Cariad) got a saloon passage along the rails and only just beat her.”
Funtantes will be aimed at the fillies and mares races during the winter if she delivers on Heathcote’s expectations.
Trainer Mick Lakey believes the Juanmo Stakes has more depth than the Bright Shadow Quality but is still hopeful Risk Aversion can bounce back to her best.
Risk Aversion was slow out of the barriers when third to Cariad and Funtantes in the Bright Shadow.
“I’ve put her through the barriers a few times since then and she’s done well,” Lakey said.
“Her barrier (11) is not ideal so I hope they go hard and she’ll get a crack at them late.”
