Gillian Heinrich’s recovery from cancer received a major boost when her horse Primal Flight landed a betting move at Doomben on Saturday.
Gold Coast-based Heinrich was diagnosed with bowel cancer in March but rather than undergo chemotherapy she elected to have a new treatment involving hyperthermia therapy.
The new treatment involves body tissue being exposed to higher temperatures to kill cancer cells.
Two weeks ago she was given the all clear from the cancer and was able to return to work.
Heinrich is still not well enough to attend race meetings and she watched on television as Primal Flight ($3.70) led all the way in the Winton Outback Festival Handicap.
“That will be a wonderful boost for Jill. She has been at trackwork and she isn’t far off getting back to race meetings,” stable foreman Ben Rogers said.
“It was our first winner since Jill got the all clear.”
Beautifully bred stallion Beckham ($4.40) continued to avoid a gelding operation with his third Queensland win in the Heart of Australia Plate (1350m).
Beckham is by champion New Zealand sire Pins out of the Group One-winning mare Glamour Puss but had been a disappointment before joining Liam Birchley’s stables at Eagle Farm.
“If he can win a half decent race he might make a commercial stallion in this area,” Birchley said.
Punta Notre ($2.50) made it three wins from four starts at the Doomben 1630m in the Give Back Campaign Plate but trainer Robert Heathcote can hardly wait until next year when Eagle Farm reopens.
“I know it is a strange thing to say but I think despite his Doomben record he will be a much better horse over the road at Eagle Farm and at 2000 metres,” Heathcote said.
