From the moment Rothfire was announced as the first entry into $750 000 The King Of The Mountain at Toowoomba on January 1, a race in which twelve slot-holders choose the runners to represent them, within certain conditions, the Robert Heathcote trained runner has been justifiably cited as the horse to beat.
A Group 1 winner, a multiple Group 1 placed horse and a four-time Group 2 winner, amongst other quality results, Rothfire stands tall … form-wise … in the King Of The Mountain contest.
In fact, with more than two-thirds of the slot holders only nominating their horses very late in the piece, it did seem … and probably still does … that Rothfire’s inherent, top-class ability had frightened away some of the opposition. There was always going to be a field of twelve, but the impression was, not everybody was rushing to take on Rothfire.
Rothfire did his final piece of serious work at Doomben on Tuesday morning on the course proper on a track just on the better side of heavy and his big race jockey Ben Thomson could not have been happier with the $1.80 race favourite.
“He is such a smart horse. He is very fit. He is feeling a treat. He was bouncing in the stables after that week off he had after his first run back in Queensland, and I pretty much just lay on his neck. I don’t even bother counting on him. I just go on feel … and he felt super. He’s marched back in … as he does after a good piece of work,” was Thompson’s glowing overall assessment, speaking after Tuesday’s gallop.
“He has got such a great racing pattern. He can just possie up into the first four,” continued Thompson.
“To be honest … and I know this might sound strange … if I could choose a barrier, I’d want ten, eleven or twelve … or anything wide. I’d rather be twelve than one … just give him room and let him do this thing.
“He really is going great and there is no reason for us to go there without being filled with confidence.”
Trainer Robert Heathcote was equally as satisfied with Rothfire.
Also speaking after Tuesday’s gallop, Heathcote said, “He was feeling well. Nice and fresh. He just cruised to the line. He’s done enough work in a time which was spot on for the type of work I asked for.
“He pretty much won’t need anything after this work, and, as Ben said, we can go into the King Of The Mountain now with confidence.”
Of course, there are no certainties in racing and Rothfire will have to give weight (between 2kg and 8kg) to all of his rivals, when racing at Toowoomba for the first time but, all things being equal, the reputation Rothfire brings into the race has been hard earned in the best of company and is as solid as a rock, hence the outright favouritism which seems to emphasise the point that he is the horse to beat.
*Ben Thompson got his wish with Rothfire drawing an outside barrier. Even with five emergency acceptors still in the mix at this stage, it seems Rothfire will jump from the extreme outside draw in the twelve horse field.
