Improved stayer Ingeegoodbe gets his chance to prove he is Magic Millions material when he races at Doomben.
Ingeegoodbe, who is named after an area in the Snowy Mountains, has won his past three starts over middle distances.
He strikes a good field of Brisbane stayers in the Bentley’s Chartered Accountants Handicap (2200m) on Saturday.
Trainer Robert Heathcote believes Ingeegoodbe can show he is top class by winning the race.
“My bloke has 57kg now and he faces a strong field. Tony Gollan’s Miss Arabella has won three recently and Stanley has been racing well and had no luck last time behind us last time,” Heathcote said.
“Then Chris Waller has two in the race and Rock On Ivy has a claim and was strong last time. So, all in all, Ingeegoodbe has a chance to show just how good he is.”
Heathcote admits he was close to sacking Ingeegoodbe last year but decided to stick with him.
“He has really turned the corner and a lot of that can be put down to his regular rider Ron Stewart knows exactly how to ride him,” Heathcote said.
“You have to let him find his rhythm and not bustle him too soon. As you have seen he can really finish off his races.”
Heathcote said if Ingeegoodbe won or raced well he would have a short break with the Magic Millions Stayers Cup (2200m) in mind.
“His owners, the Duncan family, are my single biggest owners and I would love to win a major race for them,” he said.
Of his other runners on Saturday, Heathcote believes Punta Norte can end a run of outs in the Open Handicap (1600m) with the assistance of apprentice Matt McGillivray’s 1.5kg allowance which brings him into the race with 53.5kg.
“He hasn’t won for a while but I liked his last-start third which showed he was getting back near his best,” Heathcote said.
“Matt’s claim means he gets into this race well at the weights.”
