logo
James McDonald confirmed for Rothfire's incredible Stradbroke Handicap bid

James McDonald confirmed for Rothfire's incredible Stradbroke Handicap bid

James McDonald is set to ride Rothfire in the Stradbroke Handicap as Rob Heathcote declared his wonder horse was 'back in the game' and a strong chance of winning a race against time to line up in Queensland's most prestigious race.
Hopes had been low that the 'Thriller from Chinchilla' would recover from a foot injury in time to take his place in Saturday's $3m Stradbroke at Eagle Farm.
• Lindsay Park's second gun joins vaunted attack on Stradbroke
However, after working the Group 1 winner on Monday morning, Heathcote feels the courageous seven-year-old sprinter is now a decent chance of taking his place in the Stradbroke.
Racenet iQ members get full access to our Pro Tips service, where Greg and our team of professional punters provide daily tips with fully transparent return on investment statistics. SUBSCRIBE NOW and start punting like a pro!
And Heathcote said 'James McDonald is confirmed to ride' in the latest twist in an extraordinary tale.
Champion hoop McDonald sometimes has trouble netting a Stradbroke ride given the vast array of lightweights often in the field, but he will have no issue riding Rothfire at 55.5kg.
'Rothfire will of course have to pass the scrutiny of vets, but from what we saw this morning, he will,' Heathcote said.
'Rothfire was excellent this morning.
'He's done a lot of swimming and he still has to come through his Tuesday morning gallop well, but from what we saw this morning, nothing is beyond this warrior horse.
'He is one tough horse.'
James McDonald has been booked to ride Rothfire in the Stradbroke Handicap. Picture: Getty Images
The foot injury to Rothfire, which flared after he turned back the clock for an amazing runner-up finish behind Sunshine In Paris in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000, was only ever minor.
But Heathcote said last week that although the foot infection had broken, he had felt Rothfire remained only a 'slim' chance of lining up in his third Stradbroke.
• Zac on rare quest to score consecutive Stradbroke Handicaps
However, there is now a growing sense of optimism.
It is still far from ideal that Rothfire would be racing in a Stradbroke after missing a run in the Kingsford Smith Cup, but Heathcote said it wasn't a major issue.
'The Doomben 10,000 run was worth a week of fitness work and the swimming he has been doing has kept him up to the mark,' he said.
'His courage will fill in the cracks.'
Heathcote will not make a decision as to whether he accepts with Rothfire in the Stradbroke until after a Tuesday morning track work session.
Rothfire's odds in the Stradbroke have blown out since he has been under an injury cloud and he was a $34 chance on Monday morning.
But after Racenet revealed Rothfire was a likely starter, and McDonald had been confirmed for the ride, Rothfire firmed to be a $21 chance.
Rothfire became a Group 1 champion in 2020 when he won the JJ Atkins in his two-year-old season.
He has won close to $3.5m in prizemoney, despite suffering several major injury setbacks including a sesamoid fracture several years ago which had threatened to end his career.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘I'll be talking to him': Mal confirms interest in Tigers star as likely ‘top of list' Bears target revealed
‘I'll be talking to him': Mal confirms interest in Tigers star as likely ‘top of list' Bears target revealed

News.com.au

time43 minutes ago

  • News.com.au

‘I'll be talking to him': Mal confirms interest in Tigers star as likely ‘top of list' Bears target revealed

Inaugural Perth coach Mal Meninga confirmed he will be 'talking' to Tigers hooker Apisai Koroisau after he said he would be 'definitely open' to playing for the Bears. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Meninga was officially appointed coach of the NRL's latest expansion team last week, with the Bears to enter the competition at the start of the 2027 season. With a coach in place, attention now turns to the marquee names the Bears could sign and it sounds like Koroisau could be a target. The Tigers hooker told Channel Nine he would 'definitely be open to it', although he then added he would 'love to keep going' at his current club. 'To be fair I've never seriously thought about it, mainly because I'd love to just finish off here at the Tigers and I'm in no rush to be going anywhere or sign any contracts,' he said. 'I haven't thought about it, not seriously anyway. For me it's Tigers if I can.' While those additional comments from Koroisau may ease some concerns in Tigerland, Meninga definitely took notice of his earlier ones and told Triple M he will 'be talking' to the veteran hooker. 'He did play for North Sydney Bears you know, he came through that system so I think that's another great story,' Meninga said. 'I'll be talking to him don't worry about that.' Koroisau is off-contract at the end of 2026 and will be allowed to talk to rival clubs from November 1. The Daily Telegraph's Brent Read tipped on Triple M that Koroisau will end up being one of many players who will strategically come off-contract around then in a bid to drive up their prices with the added competition of the Bears. 'They're (player agents— going to time blokes coming off contract to maximize that value, so there'll be players out there and there are players out there who are coming off at the end of '26, who I'd imagine will go to November 1,' Read said. Read went on to add that he expects Perth to target Super League teams and South African rugby union for talent, while also predicting Titans forward Tino Fa'asuamaleaui — who is signed until 2033 but can leave the club at the end of 2026 — will be 'at the top of the list' when it comes to NRL targets. 'He's got options every year of his deal. He's an obvious one who Mal's got a relationship with... Tino is probably at the top of the list,' Read said. 'Payne is the other obvious one but I think Payne will stay in Brisbane. There's some other guys... Luke Metcalf, Jaxon Purdue, Tyran Wishart, Herbie Farnworth. There are guys out there who are available as it stands on November 1.' Wishart was one player who Michael Ennis singled out during Melbourne's recent win against North Queensland as a priority target for Meninga. 'You get the feeling over the next couple of years as the expansion teams roll into town, the value of a Tyran Wishart, it is going to skyrocket,' Ennis said. 'Pick up the phone Mal.' Former Panthers and Sharks backrower Wade Graham, meanwhile, said on Triple M that the prospect of a player loan system should be something the NRL considers to help out expansion teams. He also pointed to previous successful examples, including Harry Grant's time with the Tigers and subsequent development at Melbourne, as evidence it could benefit the other clubs too. 'Every team has their roster in order and their projected five-year plan in order. They have their backups almost ready to go, but they're in behind (the starter),' Graham said. 'Look at Melbourne. They have Papenhuyzen and Hughes. They have Fa'alogo in behind and Jonah Pezet in behind and we saw with Harry Grant when he was behind Cameron Smith, the opportunity for him to be loaned out to the Wests Tigers. 'I just think it's an area we can look at. Other guys that come to mind... Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at the Dolphins. We know Trai Fuller's an exceptional fullback and has done well in first grade. 'I think we need to think a little bit outside the box of how we manage two new teams coming in the competition and player depth.'

2025 Stradbroke Handicap barrier draw boosts Ben Hayes' confidence with favourite
2025 Stradbroke Handicap barrier draw boosts Ben Hayes' confidence with favourite

Courier-Mail

timean hour ago

  • Courier-Mail

2025 Stradbroke Handicap barrier draw boosts Ben Hayes' confidence with favourite

Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Co-trainer Ben Hayes declared Lindsay Park had its 'best hand' to secure a first Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) following the barrier draw on Tuesday night. Hayes was delighted when the stable's pair War Machine and Rise At Dawn drew barriers 13 and three. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! War Machine has a stranglehold on Stradbroke favouritism at $2.70 with TAB fixed odds, while stablemate Rise At Dawn is the only other runner in single figures at $9. 'It is a race that has eluded us,' Hayes said. 'We had our (brother Ben, Will and JD) first runner last year and he (Here To Shock) unfortunately didn't go as well as we had hoped. 'But I think this year we've got the best hand we've ever had, and hopefully with a couple of nice draws there, we should get every chance.' • 'Pressure is your friend': Cejay's tip to conjure Stradbroke fairytale Hayes' nerves finally settled when War Machine's name was finally drawn with only four numbers left - 1, 2, 13 and 15. 'I don't actually mind barrier 13, it gives Tim Clark more options,' he said. 'There will be a lot of horses crossing from out wide so he should be able to get into that three-wide line and get a nice run in transit.' Hayes said Rise At Dawn was 'definitely a danger' to the favourite. 'He gets a big drop in weight and he was bouncing this morning,' he said. 'We are confident he can run really well and barrier three gives him an opportunity to have a great run.' Several local contenders drew inside gates with three-year-old filly Spicy Martini drawing four, The Inflictor six, Payline seven and Yellow Brick eight. Trainer Craig Cousins, who only has three horses in work, said his fairytale horse The Inflictor is a big chance from his barrier. 'I've taken the week off driving trucks and I'm delighted he has drawn barrier six,' Cousins said. 'It is surreal I have a horse in the Stradbroke. I have turned 60 and it's been the greatest year of my life. 'If we win, I will be bawling my eyes out. Win, lose or draw on the weekend I am the happiest man in the world. From that barrier, we are a big chance.' • Lloyd's dad to be trackside shot at Stradbroke history Toby Edmonds, trying to win his second Stradbroke, said barrier four could be tricky for Spicy Martini. 'Look, it's good, but it could be detrimental too. There's a lot of speed out wide and we are a three-year-old filly towards the inside,' he said. NSW trainer Matt Dale was lamenting barrier 20 for Front Page after connections paid a $90,000 late entry. 'It's not ideal, you come here thinking we are a chance but now we will have to dissect the field and the speed and go back in history and all those kind of things,' Dale said. Rothfire, who still face more vets' scrutiny through the week, drew barrier 17, Private Eye received barrier 10 in his bid to win the Stradbroke first-up, while third favourite Golden Mile will jump from barrier two. GROUP 1 STRADBROKE HANDICAP (1400m) $3m | Saturday, June 14, 2025 Horse | Barrier | Trainer | Jockey | Weight 1. PRIVATE EYE | 10 | Joe Pride | Nash Rawiller | 57kg 2. ROTHFIRE | 17 | Robert Heathcote | James McDonald | 55.5kg 3. DESERT LIGHTNING | 1 | Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman | Tommy Berry | 54.5kg 4. KIMOCHI | 14 | Gary Portelli | Craig Williams | 54kg 5. YELLOW BRICK | 8 | Tony & Maddysen Sears | Andrew Mallyon | 53.5kg 6. GOLDEN MILE | 2 | James Cummings | Jason Collett | 53.5kg 7. WAR MACHINE | 13 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Tim Clark | 53kg 8. PAYLINE | 7 | Chris & Corey Munce | Kyle Wilson-Taylor | 53kg 9. PUNCH LANE | 21 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Rachel King | 53kg 10. FRONT PAGE | 20 | Matthew Dale | Damien Thornton | 52.5kg 11. ROBUSTO | 19 | Bjorn Baker | Kerrin McEvoy | 52.5kg 12. FAR TOO EASY | 9 | David McColm | Regan Bayliss | 52.5kg 13. RISE AT DAWN | 3 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Declan Bates | 52.5kg 14. THE INSTRUCTOR | 12 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Jett Stanley | 52kg 15. BOSUSTOW | 11 | Annabel & Rob Archibald | Zac Lloyd | 51.5kg 16. THE INFLICTOR | 6 | Craig Cousins | Cejay Graham | 51kg 17. FIRESTORM | 16 | Chris Waller | Not Notified | 51kg 18. SPICY MARTINI | 4 | Toby Edmonds & Stephen McLean | Not Notified | 46.9kg Emergencies 19e. COLEMAN | 23 | Chris Waller | Not Notified | 50kg 20e. TRANSATLANTIC | 22 | Tony Gollan | Not Notified | 51kg 21e. WATERFORD | 18 | Chris Waller | Not Notified | 51kg 22e. PIER | 15 | Darryn & Briar Weatherley | Mark Du Plessis | 51kg 23e. WARNIE | 5 | Ciaron Maher | Not Notified | 51kg Originally published as 2025 Stradbroke Handicap barrier draw boosts Ben Hayes' confidence with War Machine and Rise At Dawn

2025 Stradbroke Handicap: Cejay Graham to ride The Inflictor
2025 Stradbroke Handicap: Cejay Graham to ride The Inflictor

Courier-Mail

timean hour ago

  • Courier-Mail

2025 Stradbroke Handicap: Cejay Graham to ride The Inflictor

Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Pressure is your friend. Young jockey Cejay Graham has those words ringing in her ears as she prepares for the 'pinch myself moment' of riding in her first Stradbroke Handicap. The words were delivered by Graham's mentor, trainer Kelly Schweida, after the young jockey came from Port Macquarie on the New South Wales mid-coast to be Schweida's apprentice in the big smoke in Brisbane a couple of years ago. And never have they been more fitting as Graham, 26, prepares to ride Queensland fairytale horse The Inflictor in Saturday's $3m Stradbroke at Eagle Farm. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'The best bit of advice Kelly has given me was that pressure is your friend,' Graham said. 'You've got to absorb the pressure and embrace it. 'That's one thing he said to me that really stuck, because coming from a few knock-backs early in my riding career I wasn't initially too confident with some things and he just said 'don't let the pressure get to you'. 'If you don't have pressure, you probably aren't going really good, are you? 'So when you put it like that, you want the pressure, don't you? 'It is a pretty cool saying that is stuck in my head.' The Inflictor winning The Gateway at Eagle Farm to collect a golden ticket into the Stradbroke Handicap. Picture: Trackside Photography • J-Mac confirmed for Rothfire's incredible Stradbroke bid Graham might hail from New South Wales, but she now considers herself as Queensland as the Great Barrier Reef. And that's just as well because a lot of Queensland will be supporting her – and the remarkable story of The Inflictor and his 60-year-old truck driving hobby trainer Craig Cousins – in the Stradbroke. • Pride taking on Stradbroke history with Private Eye The Inflictor is the home-bred hero who qualified for the Stradbroke by winning the ballot exempt race of The Gateway at Eagle Farm last December. Graham rode the four-year-old gelding to win that day and a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then. She is pinching herself that she has a chance to ride him to glory in the Stradbroke, in a race which will be her fourth career Group 1 ride. • Stradbroke Handicap field: Gollan's gun only second emergency 'Craig was pretty adamant he wanted to stick with me straight after The Gateway, so it's great that he has done that and its fantastic to be given the opportunity,' Graham said. 'It's real pinch myself kind of stuff. 'I think there will be a lot of Queenslanders cheering for us on the day. 'I've done a lot of work with him behind the scenes, I definitely know the horse inside and out. 'He is tough when he leads, but he doesn't have to lead. 'I think he's got a great chance. • Comeback star can give Cummings a Golden send-off in Stradbroke 'And I've really got to thank Kelly (Schweida) for his support as I wouldn't have got the gig riding up in Brisbane without him. 'And if it wasn't for his continued support coming out of my apprenticeship, I might have struggled a bit. 'He has backed me 100 per cent and I owe him everything.' Originally published as 'Pressure is your friend': Jockey Cejay Graham's tip to conjure 2025 Stradbroke Handicap fairytale with The Inflictor

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store