Brilliant Brisbane two-year-old Rothfire could make a belated appearance at the Sydney autumn carnival after his impressive return to racing.
Rothfire ($2.15) made it three wins from three starts when he cruised to the lead and went on to a 4-1/2 lengths win over Kisukano ($11) in the $125,000 QTIS Two-Year-Old (1000m).
Trainer Robert Heathcote said Rothfire would now head to The Jewel Prelude at Doomben on February 29.
Rothfire will then tackle the $500,000 The Jewel Two-Year-Old (1200m) at the Gold Coast on March 14.
Heathcote said while The Jewel was Rothfire’s main aim, he could also head to Sydney.
“I have put a line through a crack at the 2020 Golden Slipper. The Jewel is set weights and worth a lot of money so why take on the best sprinters in the south,” Heathcote said.
“But I have put in an entry for the ATC Sires’ over 1400m. Rothfire is by Rothesay so I have no doubts he will get the 1400m in the Sires’ and probably 1600m.
“We will see how he goes after The Jewel before any Sydney plans and we do have the Brisbane winter.”
Heathcote said he had not been so excited about a horse since his seven-time Group One winner Buffering.
“I am not saying he is another Buffering. But he is doing things in his races and in track work that Buffering was doing,” he said.
“I really don’t think we have seen the bottom of him yet.”
Winning jockey Robbie Fradd said Rothfire was one of the most exciting horses he had ridden in Queensland.
“He does it so easily and that is a big pointer,” he said.
