Trainer Rob Heathcote continued his successful Brisbane carnival when Abounding secured her place in the Group 1 $3 million Stradbroke Handicap with a courageous win at Doomben on Saturday.
A striking chestnut mare with a white blaze on her nose, Abounding edged out Cifrado and Harry’s Yacht in a thrilling finish to the Group 3 $300,000 Ladbrokes BRC Sprint (1350m).
Abounding’s win came a week after Heathcote prepared stable warhorse Rothfire to win the Group 1 Doomben 10,000.
Heathcote was on track for Abounding’s win but the trainer has been unwell and stable representative Oliver Clark addressed the media after her win.
“Rob’s been quite sick and he did a good job just to come here,” Clark said.
“This win of Abounding’s will pick up his spirits a bit.
“She finally drew a gate today because we feel she has been going as well as she was in the spring.
“We were confident going into today, she has that great sprint, and a bit like last week (with Rothfire) we couldn’t believe the odds.”
In an exciting finish where only a half length separated the top five finishers, Abounding ($10) edged out Cifrado ($31) and Harry’s Yacht ($7.50).
Lord Of Biscay ($5.50 favourite) didn’t have the best of luck and finished eighth, beaten less than three lengths.
Clark said Abounding is likely to be given her chance in the Stradbroke Handicap in three weeks before she lines up in the final Group 1 race of the season, the $700,000 Tatt’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 27.
“Abounding has furnished into a lovely mare and we feel she is coming into career-best form,” Clark said.
“She is heading towards the Tatt’s Tiara but we might go for the Stradbroke now.
“She has to have a run between now and the Tiara and this win is her ticket into the Stradbroke.”
Tim Clark picked up the ride on Abounding and acknowledged the contribution of the mare’s regular jockey, Vlad Duric, who could not partner the mare due to injury,.
“Obviously I feel for Vlad,” Tim Clark said.
“But he came and spoke to me, and gave me a really good push about this mare’s chances today. It was good that he gave me that insight into her.”Everything fell into her lap today, she had a nice run throughout and although we got held up a bit on the turn, that suits her because she has a short, sharp dash. Thankfully she got her nose down on the line.”
