Queensland’s Rob Heathcote has found the horse to help him tackle the mountain as aims for a bumper winter carnival.

Trenton Akers

April 29, 2024 - 3:44PM

Rob Heathcote has come so close to winning Queensland’s premier race the Stradbroke Handicap – so many times with geldings – he reckons it’s about time to try it with the fairer sex instead.

The multiple Group 1 winner has identified his Magic Millions Guineas winner Abounding as the horse to help him tackle the mountain as he looks to aim for a bumper winter carnival.

For so long the Stradbroke has evaded Heathcote, even his world-conquering Buffering fell short in heart breaking circumstances.

While the likes of Buffering and Rothfire have been forced to carry the grandstand in the famous handicap, Heathcote is looking to the other end of the spectrum this year.

The veteran trainer is inspired by the deeds of fellow Queenslanders John O’Shea and Barry Baldwin, who have won it with three-year-old fillies that are renowned for sneaking in with a featherweight on their back instead.

Trainer Rob Heathcote with his filly Abounding at his stables at Eagle Farm. Picture Lachie Millard

“I have run second three times in the race along with a third and a fourth,” he said.

“It is one of the time honoured handicaps in Australia, the great Buffering was at the peak of his powers and he ran two seconds in it.

“Mid Summer Music (2012) knocked us off then who could ever forget that ghostly grey (Linton, 2013) sneaking up along the fence?

“Rothfire ran the race of his life with 57.5kg and barrier 18 and runs second.”

Heathcote is under no illusions as to the task that lies ahead when it comes to getting his glamour filly into the race and says she will have to earn her way in the $3m race.

“It is our feature race, but it is the hardest race in Queensland to win, look at last year, Think About It shows up and wins it then goes on to win an Everest, we ran into a freak,” he said.

“It is a race I would love to win, but at the end of the day if you don’t, the sun still comes up the day after it and you get to do it all again.

“It is unbelievably attractive to run a filly. I remember cutting my teeth and John O’Shea did it with Private Steer and Barry Baldwin did it with La Montagna.

“I would love to do it with the best three-year-old 1400m horse I have had for a long time, that is Abounding, and she has proven herself at the level in the Magic Millions Guineas.

“With a light weight over 1400m on her home track, Jesus, she will be there to beat, but I have to get her there yet.

“It is a good path and one well taken, the Gold Coast Guineas into Fred Best into the Stradbroke.”

 

 

While Abounding is at $26 in betting with TAB, she isn’t Heathcote’s only winter weapon.

He will aim up with the highly touted Press Link who is set to tackle the Queensland Guineas, while sprinting stable stalwart Prince Of Boom will play a role in the sprint features.

“It has always been our premier eight or so weeks of the season, it is condensed a bit now but it is still the best,” Heathcote said.

“I hope the weather can ease up and give the curators some time.”