Martin Harley reckons he hasn’t sat on a horse as fast as The Big Goodbye since he won the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas in January and it proved to be true as he powered to a boilover win in the Listed Ascot Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The popular Irishman has been on the side lines nursing a neck injury, but landed his first winner since taking out the $3m feature in January when he took an unconventional route to knock over the likes of Prince Of Boom, Zarastro, Nettuno and All That Pizzazz.
“He is the fastest horse I have ridden since Abounding in the Magic Millions, she is the last winner I rode as well,” a relieved Harley said.
“It is nice to get back in the winners’ circle, not many jockeys can make slow horses run fast but when you have a horse that tries, it is a big help.
“He is an unbelievable horse who wears his heart on his sleeve.
“There was speed on today so we elected to conserve the energy instead and get a nice run up the inside.
“It helped to have a willing partner today.”
Heathcote said the plan was not always to run in this race but after an excellent first up trial, and reflecting on his excellent first up run in the Swiss Ace plate back in Nov ’23, the right decision was made to run.
The win sets The Big Goodbye up for a solid winter carnival with a possible next run in the The Victory Stakes in 2 weeks time or the Gold Coasts Prime Ministers Cup 1200 in 3 weeks time.
The win takes this extraordinary tough racehorses record to 11 wins and 15 places from his 37 starts and now banking over $705,000.
A huge band of his delighted owners were on hand to welcome him back into the winners stall taking the Queensland Rogues to the top of the T R L Racing League Table.
