Top stayer Kaiser Franz, who resumes racing on Saturday, is typical of horses who are disadvantaged by the closure of Eagle Farm racetrack.
Kaiser Franz has had 39 race starts but only four of them have been at Eagle Farm which has been closed for long periods in the past three years.
Ironically Kaiser Franz’s best effort was a win in the Group Three Premier’s Cup (2200m) on May 27 which was the last day Eagle Farm raced before being shut down for a second time.
Trainer Robert Heathcote points out Kaiser Franz’s other Eagle Farm runs were a third in a winter carnival lead-up race, a close-up fourth and an unlucky fifth in unsuitable races.
“He went up 13 ratings points for the Premier’s Cup win. But he was one of the few horses to handle Eagle Farm and now it is closed for who knows how long,” Heathcote said.
“His rating would be fine if he were able to race at Eagle Farm but while he has won twice at Doomben he is nowhere near as effective there.”
Kaiser Franz, who hasn’t run since finishing midfield in the Ipswich Cup in June, will be ridden by Emma Ljung.
Heathcote said Kaiser Franz would find Saturday’s race too short but was going along nicely and had won first-up..
“He isn’t a Magic Millions horse and I don’t think he is up to a Summer Cup or Christmas Cup in Sydney,” Heathcote said.
“So we will just potter along and try to pick up some summer staying races. Hopefully Eagle Farm will be open for him next winter.”
