Trainer Robert Heathcote has been saying for months Guntantes could defy his breeding to prove a top 1600m-2000m horse and it was confirmed at Eagle Farm.
The Dave Hickey 30 Handicap (1600m) drew together some of the most promising young horses in Queensland and the race proved a thriller.
Guntantes ($3) staged a two-horse war with his stablemate Profit ($1.80) before scoring by a short neck.
Don’t Waiver ($19) did a good job to finish third, 2-1/4 lengths back after having little luck.
Guntantes is the second last foal of broodmare Cantantes and Heathcote has at some stage trained all nine of her winners.
Most of the mare’s best offspring have been 1200m horses but Heathcote believed Guntantes will be at his best at 1600m and further.
Heathcote now trains in partnership with Chris Anderson who was on hand to praise both Profit and Guntantes.
“Profit had to lead which wasn’t the plan and there was four kilos difference at the weights after Nick Keal claimed on Guntantes so it was a good effort,” Anderson said.
“We said before the race we couldn’t split them and that was on the mark.”
Anderson said it was unlikely Profit would head to Sydney in the spring.
However, both Guntantes and Profit were likely to be winter carnival horses next year.
Mark Du Plessis, who rode Profit, said the horse had jumped so well he had little choice but to lead when he wasn’t challenged early by any other runner.
