Trainer Robert Heathcote’s stable star Rothfire might have finished second to Zoustyle in the Group 3 George Moore Stakes at Doomben on Saturday, but Heathcote could not be happier with the nine-time winning son of Rothesay who will now head to the $750,000 King Of The Mountain at Toowoomba on January 1.
“Rothfire has pulled up fantastic after the run,” confirmed Heathcote, “so good in fact that I have given him the week off.
“It was a super run,” (Rothfire under the heavy impost of 61kg carried 5kg more than the winner but never stopped chasing) … and quite a tough run… but he didn’t get beaten because of fitness (this was Rothfire’s first run since the Moir in late September), so I didn’t hesitate in allowing him some time off.
“I thought I’d give him a week out. I’ll bring him back and then give him a soft barrier trail on December 19 and then he will go straight to the King Of The Mountain.”
The King Of The Mountain has a field of twelve runners selected by slot-holders and Rothfire was the first horse to be named as a confirmed runner after being selected by slot-holder Chris Anderson.
To date … and remember we are now less than a month away from the race … Steady Ready is the only other confirmed King of The Mountain runner.
With ten slots still staying vacant, it has been suggested in certain quarters that, while lifting the profile of the race, the inclusion of Rothfire … a Group 1 winner and a multiple Group placed performer with $2.7 million banked in prize-money … might also have left the connections of other prospective candidates reconsidering their options.
“Chris (Anderson) has a slot. I think they ran second last year with Alpine Edge. He called me early days and asked if I planned on running Rothfire … and I always did, because of the lure of the QTIS carrot.” (the King Of The Mountain is restricted to QTIS registered horses only).
The race also gives the winner a wildcard, ballot -free entry into $1 million Magic Millions QTIS Open Handicap on Magic Millions day (January 13).
There is a lot to play for … with prize-money for winning both of these races amounting to $919 600! ($350 000 for the King Of The Mountain and $569 600 for the Magic Millions QTIS Open Handicap).
“Rothfire never went through a sale so he is not eligible for Magic Millions, but he would be eligible if I can get him in through the back door (a wildcard win),” explained Heathcote, “so there are 500,000 other reasons why I am going up there.”