The signs are all positive for Fillydelphia but trainer Rob Heathcote refuses to declare the mare as the stable’s only hope of claiming the Listed Brisbane Handicap at Doomben on Saturday.
Heathcote doesn’t want to fall into the same trap as when he named Excellantes a better chance than stablemate Work The Room in a Benchmark 90 race at Eagle Farm last week.
In a brilliant performance, Work the Room flashed home from near last for an upset win over Excellantes.
Heathcote is also represented in the Brisbane Handicap (1630m) by topweight Humma who resumed with a creditable seventh to Fillydelphia at Doomben on November 5.
It was Humma’s first appearance since he failed in the Group Three Premier’s Cup (2200m) at Doomben in May.
“On paper this looks a nice race for Fillydelphia but I’m not going out on a limb with her like I did last week when I said Excellantes would beat Work The Room,” Heathcote said.
“You get what you see with Humma.
“He surprised a few people when he won the (Listed) Toowoomba Cup and the Group Three Chairman’s Handicap during the winter carnival.
“He’s an eight-year-old and has his pensioner’s card now but I’m hopeful he can win a few more times before he finishes up.”
Heathcote is delighted with the progress from Humma as well as Fillydelphia following her impressive last start win over 1350 metres at Doomben.
“Fillydelphia will be hard to beat but she’s getting up in weight where it hurts now,” he said.
Heathcote has changed his opinion of Fillydelphia and believes the daughter of Bianconi is best suited to 1600 metres.
Fillydelphia was given a campaign aimed at the Group One Queensland Oaks (2400m) during the winter carnival.
But after winning the Group Three Rough Habit Plate (2020m) and finishing fourth in the Group Three Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) in May, she failed to stay and ran a struggling seventh to Scarlett Lady in the Queensland Oaks.
“I really think 1600 metres is her optimum distance and her next run will be in a fortnight in the Recognition Stakes,” he said.
Long term, Heathcote hopes to aim Fillydelphia at the Group One Winter Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm next June en route to the Group One Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington in Melbourne in the spring.
Heathcote rates the John Thompson-trained Wonderful Lass, a last start Doomben winner, as the main threat to his pair.
AAP TURF
