Robert Heathcote and Nash Rawiller have combined with Rothfire to take out the Group 2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm in fine style and return to winning form with a very tough win over the fast-finishing King Of Sparta.
The five-year-old gelding entered the Victory Stakes as the second favourite with online bookmakers, with the race-favourite Private Eye producing another ordinary run, presenting more questions about how well he is going this preparation.
There was some query about Rothfire drawing barrier nine of nine, however, Rawiller got him to fly out of the barrier and settle outside the leader and stablemate Prince Of Boom, before gaining a margin on his stablemate and holding off King Of Sparta in the final 100m of the race.
Rothfire, a son of Rothesay, has now recorded six of his eight career wins at Eagle Farm, while he brought up his fourth Group 2 success in the co-feature of the day on Queensland Guineas Day.
2023 Victory Stakes Replay – Rothfire
With Robert Heathcote up in Rockhampton for tomorrow’s The Archer meeting, Leah Kilner and Melanie Sharpe spoke post-race about Rothfire’s win.
“How great it is to have this horse back and winning the way he did,” Kilner said.
“They went quick in front but Prince (Of Boom) he dug deep and both of them, they’re both brilliant horses.
“Big credit to Mel Sharpe she does a lot of work with Rothfire, she knows him inside and out and the whole team congratulations to the whole team.”
“He’s such a beautiful character of a horse and you just want everything for him, he’s like your mate,” Sharpe said.
Nash Rawiller chose to go up to Queensland for the opening weekend of the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival and the decision has already paid dividends.
“He travelled beautifully, he felt great,” Rawiller said.
“Good to be on him on a day like this when he’s been able to produce somewhere near his best and certainly right up there with his fight to win.
“Obviously there’s been a lot of work and a lot of time in behind it and a horse like him, they never lose their will to win do they? Great to see.”
Rothfire is now a $7 equal third-favourite in future markets with online betting sites for the BTC Cup on May 27.
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