Latest news with #RobHeathcote
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Rothfire still battling stone bruise as Stradbroke Handicap hopes are fading fast
Brisbane trainer Rob Heathcote says the prospects of his old warrior Rothfire recovering from a stone bruise in time for the Stradbroke Handicap on Saturday week are getting 'slimmer by the day'. Heathcote is still waiting for an abscess to form in the seven-year-old gelding's near fore hoof but admits the chances of him running in the $3m Stradbroke (1400m) at Eagle Farm are fading fast. 'Today we're hoping the infection can burst out at the coronet band,' he said from the Philippines. 'It's so damn close. His Stradbroke hopes are looking slimmer by the day though. 'At best, he's probably 30-70 to get there. 'He won't run until he's perfect so today (Wednesday) is his last chance.' Rothfire showed he was back to his devastating best when a narrow runner-up finish to three-time Group 1 champion Sunshine In Paris in the $1.5m Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) on May 17. 'It's quite bizarre really. For a horse that ran second, it really felt like a win, everyone was so happy,' Heathcote said at the time in what is likely to be Rothfire's Queensland winter carnival swan song. Before that the 2020 JJ Atkins champion produced a barnstorming run to figure just outside the placings in the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) early last month. Rothfire is almost certain to be scratched from Saturday's $1m Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) and faces an uphill battle to make the Stradbroke in which he is a $26 chance. The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained War Machine remains the warm $3.50 favourite for the Stradbroke at Eagle Farm.
The Australian
3 days ago
- General
- The Australian
Next 48 hours important for Rothfire's Stradbroke fate
Brisbane trainer Rob Heathcote concedes his old warrior Rothfire remains in doubt to take his place in the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap on Saturday week. Heathcote says the next 48 hours will be crucial as Rothfire recovers from a stone bruise suffered last Tuesday, forcing his scratching from Saturday's Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup, which was postponed due to persistent heavy rain at Eagle Farm on Queensland Derby Day. The Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) and the Queensland Derby (2400m) will now be run this week, in conjunction with the Queensland Oaks (2200m) feature, in a 'Super Saturday' of racing at Eagle Farm featuring three Group 1s. But seven-year-old gelding Rothfire won't be there and he remains under an injury cloud for the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap over 1400m at Eagle Farm. * Read: Brisbane gets unexpected Super Saturday after Derby Day washout 'It's frustrating because with a stone bruise, it's not a simple thing,' Heathcote said. 'The laminae in their hoofs are like the nails of our fingers. They can be very painful and can take time to heal. 'We're hoping that in the next 48 hours something develops, either he gets better or he gets worse. 'Now getting worse might sound crazy but if it's going to develop into an abscess, then we want it to happen quickly so we can get him over it. 'Fortunately I've got two weeks (until the Stradbroke) so in the next 48 hours I want something to happen. 'He's still very tender in the near fore hoof. We're hoping and praying that something good happens in the next few days.' Rothfire showed he was back to his devastating best when he delivered a tremendous fight against star mare Sunshine In Paris to just miss out in the $1.5m Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) on a heavy track on May 17. The 2020 JJ Atkins champion has won just under $3.5 million in prizemoney, despite suffering a litany of injuries during his illustrious career, including a sesamoid fracture in September 2020 that threatened to end his career. Meanwhile, the Chris Waller-trained filly Belle Detelle is battling to be fit for the Queensland Oaks on Saturday. Bookmakers have rated Belle Detelle as a $9 hope in the Oaks, but she was scratched as the race favourite in the rescheduled Queensland Derby, which was meant to be run last Saturday, after suffering a foot abscess. Asked whether the injury would heal in time for the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes winner to run in the $700,000 Oaks on Saturday, Waller said 'I don't know'. Sydney's premier trainer also has $8 chance Movin Out running in the Oaks. She produced a barnstorming surge from last to finish third in The Roses (2000m) at Doomben on May 24 in a Group 2 race won by Oaks favourite Philia.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Ironhorse Rothfire remains in doubt to take his place in the Stradbroke Handicap
Brisbane trainer Rob Heathcote concedes his old warrior Rothfire remains in doubt to take his place in the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap on Saturday week. Heathcote says the next 48 hours will be crucial as Rothfire recovers from a stone bruise suffered last Tuesday, forcing his scratching from Saturday's Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup, which was postponed due to persistent heavy rain at Eagle Farm on Queensland Derby Day. The Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) and the Queensland Derby (2400m) will now be run this week, in conjunction with the Queensland Oaks (2200m) feature, in a 'Super Saturday' of racing at Eagle Farm featuring three Group 1s. But seven-year-old gelding Rothfire won't be there and he remains under an injury cloud for the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap over 1400m at Eagle Farm. 'It's frustrating because with a stone bruise, it's not a simple thing,' Heathcote said. 'The laminae in their hoofs are like the nails of our fingers. They can be very painful and can take time to heal. 'We're hoping that in the next 48 hours something develops, either he gets better or he gets worse. 'Now getting worse might sound crazy but if it's going to develop into an abscess, then we want it to happen quickly so we can get him over it. 'Fortunately I've got two weeks (until the Stradbroke) so in the next 48 hours I want something to happen. 'He's still very tender in the near fore hoof. We're hoping and praying that something good happens in the next few days.' Rothfire showed he was back to his devastating best when he delivered a tremendous fight against star mare Sunshine In Paris to just miss out in the $1.5m Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) on a heavy track on May 17. Too good J-Mac! He lifts Sunshine In Paris to victory in the Doomben 10,000 ðŸ'° @mcacajamez @ANeashamRacing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2025 The 2020 JJ Atkins champion has won just under $3.5 million in prizemoney, despite suffering a litany of injuries during his illustrious career, including a sesamoid fracture in September 2020 that threatened to end his career. Meanwhile, the Chris Waller-trained filly Belle Detelle is battling to be fit for the Queensland Oaks on Saturday. Bookmakers have rated Belle Detelle as a $9 hope in the Oaks, but she was scratched as the race favourite in the rescheduled Queensland Derby, which was meant to be run last Saturday, after suffering a foot abscess. Asked whether the injury would heal in time for the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes winner to run in the $700,000 Oaks on Saturday, Waller said 'I don't know'. Sydney's premier trainer also has $8 chance Movin Out running in the Oaks. She produced a barnstorming surge from last to finish third in The Roses (2000m) at Doomben on May 24 in a Group 2 race won by Oaks favourite Philia.
Daily Telegraph
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Telegraph
2025 Kingsford Smith Cup: Robert Heathcote scratches Rothfire
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Queensland racing hero Rothfire has been scratched from Saturday's Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm. The Group 1 star, who almost pulled off a racing miracle when turning back time to finish a narrow runner-up in the Doomben 10,000, has a hoof issue that is currently undergoing treatment from vets and a farrier. • 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! 'It is an issue with his near fore hoof and is most probably a stone bruise,' trainer Rob Heathcote told Racenet yesterday. Rothfire was a $19 chance in the Kingsford Smith before his scratching. • Group 1-winning jockeys involved in physical altercation at Doomben Heathcote yesterday flagged that in the event on his scratching, Rothfire would go straight into next month's Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap without another run. Rothfire has 55.5kg in the Stradbroke and is a $26 chance in Queensland's most prestigious race. Originally published as Rothfire scratched from Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup
Mercury
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Mercury
Rothfire in doubt for Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Queensland racing hero Rothfire is unlikely to take his place in Saturday's Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm. Group 1 star Rothfire, who almost pulled off a racing miracle when turning back time to finish a narrow runner-up in the Doomben 10,000, has developed a hoof issue. • 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! 'It is an issue with his near fore hoof and is most probably a stone bruise,' trainer Rob Heathcote told Racenet. 'He is currently receiving treatment from vets and the farrier. 'But he is unlikely to recover in time to take his place in the Group 1 on Saturday.' At the time of writing, Rothfire was a $19 chance in the Kingsford Smith. If he does not race on Saturday, Heathcote said Rothfire would go straight to the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap next month. Rothfire has 55.5kg in the Stradbroke and is a $26 chance in Queensland's most prestigious race. Originally published as Rothfire in doubt for Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup
