It has been a long, at times tortuous climb, but the Robert Heathcote trained Rothfire has finally made it to The Everest race-day — that is to the race-day and not yet to the big race itself. While it is likely he may not reach the summit of that long-held Everest ambition, it is still an extraordinary achievement for Rothfire to be in play, even in a supporting role, on such a high-profile, prestigious day on the Australian Racing calendar.
Rothfire currently sits as one of the emergencies for The Everest, but should that option fall away, he is securely in the field for the $2 million Sydney Stakes where the notable jockey booking of Zac Purton has been confirmed.
It is hard to believe that it has been five years since Rothfire’s seemingly sure path into The Everest field crashed and burned when he suffered a well-documented, catastrophic, career-threatening injury in the 2020 Golden Rose.
To say it was a devastating experience for all of Rothfire’s connections would be an understatement. But ultimately, and thankfully, a light emerged at the end of the tunnel as Rothfire adapted well to his rest and rehabilitation regime before starting to build his career again from there.
The comeback, a full twelve months later, was nothing short of miraculous, but it hasn’t been all plain sailing since then. Rothfire again flirted with possible participation in The Everest only for another setback—minor this time but still disappointing—to again take him out of contention.
Fast forward to this year, and Rothfire, in spite of all of the issues he has had to deal with over a long period of time, is still competing at the elite level. He’s done well enough to claim a place as one of the big race emergencies, which means that even now as an eight-year-old, Rothfire’s quest for a place in The Everest once again currently has a ‘so near, yet so far’ connotation to it.
But the fat lady isn’t singing just yet.
Under the conditions of The Everest, if a horse listed in the final field is scratched before the scratching deadline, the affected slot holder can choose a replacement runner from the officially listed emergency acceptances.
So, for the moment, while it is not too shabby having a $2 million race as a back-up, does that leave Rothfire’s connections feeling betwixt and in between?
“No, if there is a scratching and the slot holder selects Rothfire we are in The Everest. If not, we’re not. It’s pretty straightforward. It’s all set out what will happen,” said Heathcote.
“I’ve got a healthy horse. I’ve got a happy horse. He will come up to Sydney today (Thursday) from Melbourne. He’ll probably not have a saddle on him again until he goes into the race.
“They say some rain is due. I’m desperate for the rain to come tomorrow. That’s what I want.” (The track is currently rated as ‘slow’.)
Without a confirmed place in The Everest, Rothfire is a $221 chance for the big race if you want to take that gamble. If he gets there, that would pit him against Hong Kong champion racehorse Ka Ying Rising.
Rothfire, though, is also currently quoted at $16 for the Sydney Stakes and, if he takes his place in that lineup, he will have Hong Kong champion jockey Zac Purton holding the reins as they plot a path from the visitor’s draw — sixteen out of sixteen.
If you’re thinking about betting on either race, check out the best options on Australia’s top betting sites.
