Apart from having a name to give race callers a nightmare Trommelschlagen holds a special place in Queensland turf history.
The gelding is the last of the offspring of the mare Chenar who is a success story of the state’s racing and breeding.
Chenar was by Glen Avon sire Just Awesome and was a star on the racetrack for a then rookie trainer Robert Heathcote.
She gave Heathcote the first of his 50 black-type wins in the 2000 Group Two Champagne Stakes at Doomben.
She went on to be just as big a help to the multiple premiership winning trainer at stud.
Chenar produced a steady stream of winners to carry Heathcote’s pink and black checks stable colours including the smart Heartshaker, Fusina and Lauterbrunnen but had to be euthanised last year aged 19.
“She will always have a place in my heart. You don’t forget your first black-type winner and she certainly helped me on my way with a lot of other winners,” Heathcote said.
Trommelschlagen lines up in the Three-Year-Old Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday.
“He has won his past two starts at Ipswich and this is a step up. But I have been wanting to get him out to 1600 metres which I am sure will suit him,” Heathcote said.
“He might even go on to win in better company as he matures.”
Trommelschlagen is by Drumbeats and his name means beat the drum hard in German.
