Prince Of Boom, who was one of the Robert Heathcote runners sensationally scratched (by order of the stewards) from the Mick Dittman Plate on April 23, will be looking to right the ship of the Heathcote stable, which has endured a really rough passage recently, when he tackles the Gold Coast Guineas on Saturday.
The drama of Mick Dittman Plate day … the disappointment of Rothfire’s unplaced run in the Victory Stakes (for whatever reason) a week later … and the frustration of the on-going stewards inquiry into the events of April 23 (Heathcote fronted the stewards on Tuesday, but the inquiry was adjourned until a date yet to be announced) … have all combined to make this a pretty downcast period for the stable … and, for the moment at least, Prince Of Boom represents that flicker of light at the end of the tunnel that can turn into beacon of change for the stable’s fortunes.
Certainly, Prince Of Boom has the credentials to do just that.
A four-time winner from seven starts, the son of Spirit Of Boom comes into the 2022 Gold Coast Guineas looking for a hat-tricks of wins.
The fact that his last win in the $500 000 The Jewel came over the same track and distance as he faces on Saturday rates as another positive marker for the race.
Prince Of Boom has had a jump out since missing that run in the Mick Dittman Plate, which hopefully has helped offset some of the disadvantage that might have come his way with that missed run. He has however been given no favours in the barrier draw, drawing sixteen out of sixteen which, theoretically complicates his task on Saturday … and you would forgive Heathcote if he thought that was par for the course the way things are going at the moment.
But, for all of the problems of the last ten days, Heathcote still has an optimistic view of Prince Of Boom’s chances.
“I did gasp when I saw the barrier draw,” said Heathcote, “but then I saw the weather forecast and thought it might not be such a bad thing.
“He performed really well in a jump-out after missing the run in the Mick Dittman Plate. That was last Thursday … and it was just to tick over his fitness.
“I haven’t had to do a lot with him since, so his fitness levels are where they need to be.
‘The fact that he won The Jewel at the Gold Coast is the primary reason why we are going back there. I haven’t had a lot of good fortune with my horses at the Gold Coast, but the fact that he won The Jewel, and won handsomely, suggests that this is a race we should target.
“The forecast says it is going to be wet. He’s had two starts on slow for two wins and one on heavy for a win … so, he should be good with that.”
Prince Of Boom is currently the $3 favourite for the Gold Coast Guineas with the Mark Walker trained Sword of State, who similarly will be looking for a third successive after two Group 3 wins in New Zealand, on the next line of betting at $5.50.
