Promising stayer Simmering gave leading trainer Rob Heathcote a happy homecoming when the three-year-old scored a commanding win at Doomben.
Ridden by Jim Byrne, Simmering bided his time in the middle stages before finishing powerfully to down Lovingthelimelight by 1-1/4 lengths in Saturday’s Coca-Cola Handicap (2020m).
Crosscannons fought on strongly after being caught wide most of the way to finish third, a further three-quarters of a length away.
Heathcote, who arrived home last Sunday following a holiday in Korea and Canada, is set to claim Brisbane’s training honours for a third time with a runaway lead in this season’s premiership.
Heathcote has always had a good opinion of Simmering, who finished sixth to the Mike Moroney-trained Shenzhou Steeds in the Listed Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m) at Caloundra at his previous start.
“It’s good to be back,” Heathcote said.
“I’ve always liked this horse and he was going to be more a Queensland Derby runner.
“Unfortunately, he got a stone bruise which cost him a few weeks at a crucial time in his preparation.
“The start before the Guineas at Caloundra I thought Simmering should have beaten Shenzhou Steeds at Doomben.”
Heathcote gave Byrne full marks for his ride on Simmering who has now won three of his eight starts.
“That was a ten out of ten ride from Jimmy,” Heathcote said.
“If I have a criticism of Jim it’s he tends to go a touch early so I told him to hold him up for as long as possible.”
Heathcote is confident Simmering, a son of New Zealand-based sire Postponed, will emerge as a worthy Brisbane winter carnival stayer next year.
“I don’t know much about his sire but I’m told he’s thrown a few stayers in New Zealand and Simmering looks like he’ll stay,” Heathcote said.
Heathcote has booked seven stables at Flemington for the spring but Simmering won’t be among the team that goes away.
“I’ve got seven boxes already booked at Flemington but I’d say Simmering won’t be going away as he’ll be at the end of his preparation by then,” he said.
AAP TURF