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Class shines as Rothfire crowned King Of The Mountain

Tuesday, 02 Jan 2024
Class shines as Rothfire crowned King Of The Mountain
By Trenton Akers

When it's too good to be true, it usually is, but Rothfire gave punters a winning start to 2024 by taking out the King Of The Mountain in a $750,000 romp.

The Group 1 star was the main attraction for the New Year's Day Toowoomba slot race and delivered when it mattered as a hot odds-on favourite.

Trainer Rob Heathcote would have been giggling when organisers were struggling to fill slots for the race just days out from the event due to Rothfire's presence and in the end it was the easiest pay cheque he's collected.

In what could be the final running of the race in its current setting, Rothfire made the most of the race tailor-made for him – Queensland-bred and Queensland-trained horses only.

Such was the class gulf between Rothfire and the rest of the field, more horses started at $101 than those which greeted the starter at single-figure odds.

After running second to Imperatriz in Melbourne during the spring, Heathcote carefully crafted a plan to get Rothfire to Toowoomba on New Year's Day and on Monday he pulled it off, with jockey Ben Thompson taking care of his rivals from the widest barrier.

Settling outside the speed set by local hope Avone, Rothfire held off all challenges to collect the prize.

"It's a miracle this horse is still racing," Heathcote said.

"This was also his first appearance at this track, which takes a bit of getting used to and he was taking on a few locals, including Steady Ready.

"There has been a bit of criticism about the strength of the field, but the fact that he's only just won shows the race is very worthy of its place on the calendar.

"He's a little ripper. He was so cool, calm and collected today, which gave me a lot of confidence.

"At home, Mel (Sharpe) puts a crown on his box and calls him The King, so it's fitting he's been crowned the king of the mountain today."

For his win on Monday, Rothfire won a spot into the Magic Millions QTIS (1300m) and is set to add star power to the super rich day in a fortnights time.