Jockey Tim Clark has convinced connections of Rothfire to start the comeback galloper in the Premiere Stakes in order to have him at his peak for the $15 million The Everest.
The four-year-old was nursed back to health after suffering a serious leg injury in the Golden Rose last spring, finishing a courageous fourth in The Shorts at what was his first start in a year.
The performance came as a relief to his trainer Rob Heathcote , who became increasingly anxious as the rain fell pre-race and the track deteriorated.
“He’s a horse who twelve months ago suffered a potentially career-ending injury and he’s had extensive rehab,” Heathcote said.
“We’ve got him back and I threw him straight into the deep end.
“The bloody weather put paid to him when that rain came, it worried me so badly. I was anxious and nervous but to the horse’s credit, he was brave.”
Significantly, Rothfire bounced out of the run in good order.
Clark partnered him in The Shorts and while rapt with the performance, he advised connections that Rothfire would benefit from another run before lining up in The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 16.
Heathcote has happily taken the feedback on board and Rothfire will tackle Saturday’s Premiere Stakes over the Everest course and distance.
“It wasn’t the plan. I was 50-50 on it,” Heathcote said.
“But Tim said he knocked up, he felt it the last 100 metres and his condition gave out, so we’ll head on to the Premiere and go from there to The Everest.”
Rothfire was a $3.60 second favourite for the Premiere Stakes after fields were released on Wednesday with Masked Crusader the early $2.90 top pick.