In early October trainer Robert Heathcote stated quite emphatically that he had faith in Rothfire and Abounding, his two runners who were targeting interstate assignments.
Nine days later Rothfire won the $2 million Group 2, Sydney Stakes at Randwick at double figure odds and Abounding romped home as a well-supported second favourite in the $350 000 Group 2 Tristarc Stakes at Caulfield … which translated into a spectacular, two-state, same day strike for the Heathcote stable.
The question now is … can lightning strike twice?
If Heathcote has faith in his two southern raiders before, their recent wins have only strengthened his belief and he has absolutely no qualms in sending Rothfire into action to take on the $3 million Russell Balding field at Randwick on Saturday … with Abounding going to the $1 million Group 1 Empire Rose at Flemington, again on the same day,
Both horses will have new riders. Jason Collett takes over from Zac Purton on Rothfire and Jamie Melham takes the seat vacated by Blake Shinn aboard Abounding. Shinn moves to Damask Rose.
Both horses will be tackling a change of distance. Rothfire goes from 1200m to 1300m. Abounding steps up from 1400m to 1600m.
Rothfire is now facing a new test of strength against no less than six Everest runners … Briasa, Jimmystar, War Machine, Lady Shanandoah, Mazu and Jedibeel … and a rematch with Iowna Merc, With Your Blessing, Coal Crusher and Golden Mile.
Abounding’s shift to Group 1 company again means the quality of his opposition is ramped up and now includes the likes of such quality performers as, amongst others, Pride Of Jenni and Fangirl,
Both horses thus, obviously, face a stiff challenge, but Heathcote is very happy with the way things have gone over the last two weeks since that Rothfire, Abounding big race double.
“The thing that has please me so much is that things have gone so well,” offered Heathcote.
“Poor old Rothfire doesn’t have the best of feet which is part of the reason why I sent him back down to Melbourne, but the farrier has done an amazing job. Rothfire is sound and healthy … so we are happy to go.
“He is a really special horse.”
So, a repeat big feature race double is a possibility for the Heathcote stable.
When Rothfire won the Sydney Stakes he jumped at a starting price of $13. In the Russell Baldwin he is all the way out to $23.
When Abounding won the Tristarc she jumped as the second favourite at $2.80. She is an $11 chance in Saturday’s Empire Rose.
And the question remains … can lightning strike twice?
