It’s been almost 18 months since Rothfire’s last win, but trainer Robert Heathcote is confident the seven-year-old gelding still has plenty to offer.

Rothfire will return to Group 1 racing in this Saturday’s $1.5 million Doomben 10,000.

This marks his first Group 1 appearance since finishing fifth in the Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley in September 2023.

Despite injury setbacks throughout his 33-start career, Heathcote believes Rothfire still has a strong competitive spirit. “I will know when he’s ready to retire,” Heathcote said. “I know this horse better than my wife.”

Rothfire’s only previous Doomben 10,000 outing came in 2022, where he finished fifth in the race won by Mazu. This is his fourth Winter Carnival, and his sole Group 1 victory came in the JJ Atkins (1600m) back in June 2020.

Heathcote feels the gelding still has what it takes to win a big race, following a strong fourth-place finish in the Victory Stakes (1200m) earlier this month. “Under different circumstances, I think he can still win a big one,” he said.

Rothfire is priced at $26 in the Doomben 10,000 market, with Group 1 winners Overpass, Sunshine In Paris, Benedetta, and Schwarz heading the field.