Emotional Return for Rothfire

Mark Smith - Saturday September 3

An emotional moment for connections of Rothfire, who returned to the winner's circle for the first time in two years in Saturday's Group II Mitty's McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.

Ridden by Damian Lane for Robert Heathcote, Rothfire overpowered fellow Queenslander Zoustyle (Zoustar) by three-quarter of a length, with the favourite Coolangatta (Written Tycoon) a further one and a quarter length back in third.

Rothfire is a star (image Grant Courtney)

 Arguably the most exciting three-year-old in the land, Rothfire won seven of his first eight starts culminating with his win in the Group II Run To The Rose. The trailing pack included  Ole Kirk, North Pacific, Peltzer, Farnam, and King's Legacy, all now standing at leading stud farms.  

At his next start, Rothfire pulled up with an injury when fourth to Ole Kirk in the Group 1 Golden Rose, and it has been a long road back for the 5yo gelded son of Rothesay.

"Gee, I love this race track. I've had some good times here," Heathcote enthused.

Advertisement

"Back in 2016, we farewelled the great Buffering, and I've come back today with a horse that I thought might have been as good, but then he suffered a bad injury.

"That's his first win back since he suffered that injury, and many of the owners are here today, and I'm one very, very proud trainer.

"I said it would be a miracle if he ever got back to the races - he did - it would be a miracle if he could be competitive at this level, and it's a miracle he's come back and won.

"I was happy with him because this winter carnival at home, I could train him properly.

"I've been walking on eggshells since the injury. He was ever so brave in his run in the Stradbroke (behind Alligator Blood), a Group 1 over 1400m.

"After three weeks off, he's returned, kept that residual fitness, and I haven't had to do much with him.

"I'd like to win another Moir and another Manikato. I love coming back here."

Rothfire advances his record to eight wins, one second, and a third from 16 starts with earnings of $1,319,875.

Bred by Wally and Jill Gleeson's Gleeson Thoroughbreds, Rothfire couldn't make a yearling sale, so he was offered to trainer Robert Heathcote for $10,000 and what an investment he has been.

Great to have him back (image Grant Courtney)

He is the best of three winners from five to race out of the unraced Hussonet (USA) mare Huss On Fire, who was pensioned in 2018.

Rothfire changed the fortunes of his sire Rothesay who covered just 28 mares in 2017 and 2018 before covering a career-high 177 mares at Lyndhurst Stud in 2020. The son of Fastnet Rock stands for a fee of $4,950 this season. 

Advertisment

Race Result - Mitty's McEwen Stakes Gr2 1000m

Moonee Valley Track: Soft(6) Time: 0:58.90
1
Rothfire
- 5g Rothesay (AUS) x Huss On Fire (NZ) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: R L Heathcote Rdr: Damian Lane 58.5
2
0.8
Zoustyle
- 7g Zoustar (AUS) x Fashion (GER) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: D Oliver 58.5
Zoustar
3
2.1
Coolangatta
- 3f Written Tycoon (AUS) x Piping Hot (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Jamie Kah 50
4
2.2
The Inferno
- 6g Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) x Spina Rosa (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: C I Brown Rdr: Jye McNeil 58.5
5
3.2
Semillion
- 3c Shalaa (IRE) x Sistonic (AUS) (Bel Esprit (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Damien Thornton 52
6
6.7
In The Congo
- 4h Snitzel (AUS) x Via Africa (SAF) (Var (USA))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: M Zahra 58.5
7
10.7
Away Game
- 5m Snitzel (AUS) x Elusive Wonder (AUS) (Elusive Quality (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Craig Williams 56.5
More Reading...
Bellatrix Star May Back Up in G1 Champions Sprint
Te Akau and Fortuna Racing’s filly Bellatrix Star proved she is among Australia’s top sprinting three-year-olds last Saturday at Flemington, finishing second in the A$2 million Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).
Melbourne Cup Tips – Tara Talks Racing
Tara Talks Racing is now online having had a Sunday arvo drink or two as we go through the Cup horses, so what do Clocker and I like for this year’s Melbourne Cup?
Kiwi Longshot Hope for Cup
Grant Cooksley came tantalisingly close to getting his hands on the Melbourne Cup as a jockey, and he is hoping to rectify that on Tuesday as a trainer when he lines-up Trust In You in the two-mile feature.
Whoosh!! Rothfire in a Class of His Own in JJ Atkins
Outstanding two-year-old Rothesay gelding Rothfire, who was deemed unworthy of a place in a yearling sale,  left a class field struggling in his wake with a record-breaking performance in Saturday’s Group 1 JJ Atkins Plate (1400m) at Eagle Farm.
Kiwi Grey Targets Subzero on Cup Day
The Subzero Handicap (1400m), a race solely for registered grey thoroughbreds, has proven to be a fan favourite at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day, and this year, Kiwis will have their own grey to barrack for.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
Two heats at the Rosehill trials on Monday morning over 900m and the quickest of those was won by an expensive son of Golden Slipper winning first season sire Farnan.
Will it be a fairytale finish for Tasmanian-bred mare The Map?
Fresh from sweeping the sire awards at the 2024 Tasmanian Racing Awards this season, the Armidale Stud team is in line for another significant achievement with The Map (Alpine Eagle x This Moment) flying the flag for resident stallion Alpine Eagle in the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup on Tuesday 5 November.
Antrim Coast to Fly Flag for The Oaks Stud
The well-renowned colours of The Oaks Stud will feature across two feature Trans-Tasman meetings this week, kicking off with Antrim Coast lining up in the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Queensland Flyer Rothfire Much the Best in Run For The Rose
He came, he saw, he conquered, Rothfire, the $10,000 sales reject from Queensland, looked an inspired choice for the Everest after he blew away a well-performed field of bluebloods in Saturday’s Group II Run To The Rose at Rosehill.
Zoustar 6YO Stepping up to 2000m
Pre-post favourite Habana will head into unfamiliar territory at Ellerslie, but there is confidence in his camp that it will be a smooth transition.