In the last two months Rothfire finished second in the George Moore Stakes, took out the King Of The Mountain and then ran fourth in the Magic Millions Open.

Heathcote said his performances added to his milestone career.

“The goal was to win the King Of The Mountain which we achieved and then it was to get into the Magic Millions,” he said.

“He was enormously brave as he always is but it was just one of those things, an unlucky racing incident so to speak.

“If he draws barrier three to six, he gets the perfect run in behind and he beats them but full credit to those that beat him home.”

The six-year-old gelding has staged several injury comebacks throughout a fabulous career and Heathcote knows he’ll be back to his best in the coming months.

“He’s been sent to the paddock now for a well deserved break,” Heathcote said.

“He’ll come back for the Winter Carnival and probably aim towards the Ascot, the Victory Stakes, maybe the Doomben 10,000 and maybe the Kingsford Smith but it’s a well-trodden path that we’ve done the last three years with him.”

After a handful of top five placings in 2022, Rothfire was able to find his footing at last year's winter carnival with three placings and a victory in the Group 2 Victory Stakes.

“I’m confident he’ll come back firing, he’s gone to the paddock in good order, his legs are sound as we just race him in short and sharp campaigns with specific targets,” he said.

“We did that again this year and we kicked a goal.”