Trainer Rob Heathcote begins his assault on the Doomben summer series when Excellantes and Work The Room clash in their comebacks at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The pair, along with stablemate Captain Clayton, form a three-pronged attack from the Heathcote stable in the Better Build Constructions Handicap (1200m).
The Doomben summer series begins with the Group Three George Moore Stakes (1200m) on December 10 followed by the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes (1350m) two weeks later and the Listed Bernborough Handicap (1615m) on December 31.
Only one horse, the Gordon Yorke-trained Natural Destiny, has won all three legs when successful in 2006-07.
Heathcote plans to have a strong presence in this year’s series with a number of his stable’s big guns set to resume shortly including Solzhenitsyn and Simmering who will join Excellantes, Work The Room and Gundy Son’s summer series quest.
Heathcote has been successful in only one leg of the summer series when Fine Action won the Lough Neagh Stakes, formerly the Summer Stakes, in 2000.
Unlike Yorke’s feat with Natural Destiny, Heathcote won’t be relying on one runner to claim the series.
Heathcote has given punters a strong pointer by declaring Excellantes as the best chance of his Eagle Farm trio.
Excellantes hasn’t had a barrier trial since the four-year-old’s last-start second to The Barracks in a 1200-metre Open at Doomben in July.
“Excellantes is by far my best chance of the three and is forward enough to run well from barrier one,” Heathcote said.
“He has come back in good order from his break and he’s got a great record which I believe should be even better.
“He’s won five of his 11 starts and has been unlucky a couple of times and I think he’ll be hard to hold out first-up.”
Excellantes is being aimed at the series’ first two legs before tackling the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast in January.
Work The Room won the Listed Tatt’s Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm in July before being spelled following his fifth at Doomben on August 6.
“Work The Room is a nice horse but he hasn’t been a punter’s pal,” Heathcote said.
“He’s got plenty of ability but he’s had his share of issues with a hoof problem.
“I’m confident I’ve got him right now but he’ll probably find this too short. His goal is the Bernborough.”
Heathcote plans to give Solzhenitsyn and Simmering barrier trials in the next two weeks before the pair launch their bids for the summer series.
“Solzhenitsyn and Gundy Son will run in the final two legs while Simmering will only run in the Bernborough,” Heathcote said.
“Gundy Son also will go on to the Magic Millions Cup.”
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