Robbie Fradd, Robert Heathcote in awe as Rothfire extends unbeaten run at Doomben

Robert Heathcote declared Rothfire the most exciting horse he’s had since Buffering, while jockey Robbie Fradd gave his seal of approval to take on the best in Sydney after the gelding bolted in again at Doomben.

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Robbie Fradd gave his seal of approval for Rothfire take on the best in Sydney after the pair again put daylight between themselves and their rivals at Doomben on Saturday.

Rothfire controlled the speed in front, kicked on the turn and then surged in the final 200m to win the Jewel Prelude (1110m) by 4.5 lengths. The combined winning margin of his last three wins has been 15 lengths.

When asked if Rothfire is good enough to take on all comers south of the border, Fradd didn’t hesitate. “I think he is,” he said.

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Rothfire maintained his undefeated record with another dominant win at Doomben. Picture: Trackside Photography

“As far as the two-year-olds I’ve seen everywhere, it’s very open. There’s no youngster that stands out where you would say, ‘whoa, you want to avoid him’. They are winning, then getting beaten, so it’s very open and I think he’s in with a big shout this horse.

“The nice thing about him, he gets there and when you let him go, he gets up to a point and then he just loafs.

“It’s like he’s expecting something to come. But when you shake him up, there’s more there. He goes again. Once I clicked him up again, he just took off.”

Trainer Rob Heathcote said there will be no deviation from the original plan of running in the $500,000 QTIS Jewel in a fortnight.

That race will determine whether he goes to Sydney for either the Golden Slipper (which will require a $150,000 late entry fee) or the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes or stays at home to be prepared for the winter.

“I will sit down with the owners and work out what we are going to do, but right now, we need to just enjoy what he’s doing,” Heathcote said. “He’s as exciting a horse as I’ve had since Buff and he’s actually doing things Buff didn’t do as a two-year-old.

Oh he's awesome!

Rothfire the rocket 🚀 wins again @DoombenRacing @BrisRacingClub and that's 4 from 4 👏👏👏👏 @RaceQLD pic.twitter.com/479TYAUdm9

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 29, 2020

“He just slingshots the barriers and then travels. 1200m is going to be no problem at all.”

Kisukano led home the chasers behind Rothfire last time and proved the merit of that form when dominating her rivals to win the Fillies division of the Jewel Prelude.

Trainer Michael Nolan admits his filly will find it difficult to turn the tables on Rothfire, but she will be there trying.

“There was a lot against her and when Mark (Du Plessis) took the sit, I wasn’t quite sure if it would work out, but it did. That proved the winning move,” Nolan said.

“We’re going to run into an obviously good horse in the Jewel, but that’s where she’s headed. I know we had a bit against us when she ran against him, but I just think Rothfire is special.”

Du Plessis admitted he was “being a bit cheeky” when he told Sky Thoroughbred Central Kisukano will beat Rothfire in the Jewel, but is sure she will be very competitive.

“Look, he’s a very good horse and she may not be quite mature enough yet, but she had no favours when she met him, or again today, so if he drew 15 and we drew soft, you never know,” he said.

Jockey Robbie Fradd was full of praise for Rothfire. Picture: AAP

THE ODYSSEY EYES JEWEL

History repeated when The Odyssey led his rivals a merry dance to win the Jewel Prelude at Doomben, as connections now eye another big payday on the Gold Coast this month.

The Odyssey hadn’t raced since he was unplaced on Magic Millions day, but a strong betting move and good push by Kelly Schweida during the week showed he was ready to fire.

Steph Thornton was able to control the speed in front, running around the 35.5 mark for the first 600m and, from that point, his pursuers faced a task to run him down.

In the end, Baby Boomer whittled down the margin but had to settle for a third consecutive runner-up prize this preparation.

The Odyssey and @smthornton99 win the 3YO Jewel Prelude @DoombenRacing @BrisRacingClub @RaceQLD pic.twitter.com/SgEurReszU

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 29, 2020

The Odyssey came off last year’s Magic Millions day to win the 2YO Jewel Prelude on this same day before claiming the Jewel a fortnight later. Schweida is now hoping the pattern continues when he runs in the $300,000 3YO Jewel in a fortnight.

“It’s probably the fittest I’ve had him early in a campaign, but having said that, he’s only had one jumpout and he will improve off this,” Schweida said. “Eventually I would like to ride him quiet like his sire (Better Than Ready), but today wasn’t the day to do it.”

The Odyssey now has earnings just short of the $750,000 mark.

Baylee Nothdurft notched his first stakes win for his boss, Tony Gollan, when Silvera came from last to win the Listed Tattersall’s Members’ Cup.

The Odyssey scored a comfortable win at Doomben. Picture: AAP

It was the second Listed mile Silvera has won on a Tattersall’s day, having won the Tatt’s Mile last July.

Nothdurft won The Wave for Gollan in January, but this was the first of what may well be many black-type wins for the partnership.

Nothdurft said he had planned for every scenario and, despite having to go back to last, was happy to have Spectroscope and New Universe to follow in the run.

“I had the right horses to take me into it and, coming to the 600m, I was going better than them,” he said. “He hit a flat spot for 50m, but his last 100m was very strong.”

Gollan noted Silvera had overcame an eye ulcer which messed up his summer campaign.

Magnufighter continued his consistent form by running second, while the $3.90 favourite Impasse just failed to see out a strong mile and wound up third.