The verdict: Rothfire worthy of a shot at Golden Slipper

The defeats of Golden Slipper hotpots Cellsabeel and Hanseatic has shown there is no standout for the world’s richest two-year-olds’ race, so why not give Queensland’s best colt a crack?

Rothfire could emerge as contender for the Golden Slipper. picture: AAP

• The life lesson that will make Moody a better trainer
• Firm belief Eagle Farm is on right track

Another Golden Slipper hotpot bit the dust when Cellsabeel was out of the placings in the Silver Slipper at Rosehill after Dame Giselle went belly up the week before.

Then Hanseatic was rolled in the Blue Diamond – albeit most probably with the track condition playing against him.

The point is, there doesn’t look a standout.

Magic Millions flop Farnan finds himself at the top of Ladbrokes’ betting charts after Saturday’s fallout.

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Rothfire would not be out of place in the Golden Slipper. Picture: AAP

What price would Queensland’s top rated youngster Rothfire be if he were nominated for the race?

Given one ratings agency went on the record last week declaring him the second-highest rated horse in Australia this season, it’s a fair bet to say he would be right up there.

The Rob Heathcote stable is keeping its eyes firmly on the targets assigned over the next three weeks, those being next week’s Jewel Prelude and then the QTIS Jewel on March 14.

Should he win both of those impressively – and the ratings are saying he’s in the game – the late entry fee for the Slipper just has to be a real possibility.

It’s not like there’s a horse out there at the moment you would be running scared of.

SHOWING INITIATIVE

Toby Edmonds was shocked to see Peppi La Few in front after having discussions with Brad Stewart about going back from the wide gate.

“That’s the advantage of putting a rider on that takes the initiative,” Edmonds said.

Stewart didn’t intend to lead, but was able to have a good time of it once he set up camp in front. “I came out neutral and they let me cross without spending any energy,” he said.

Trainer Chris Anderson will rethink plans for Profit after he was beaten at Eagle Farm. Picture: AAP

SYDNEY PLANS ON HOLD

Chris Anderson has scrapped Sydney plans – for the time being – for promising pair Profit and Ballistic Boy after they were beaten on Saturday.

“We couldn’t go to Sydney (for the G1 Randwick Guineas) off those runs, so they will stay here and run over 1400m again in a fortnight,” he said. “If Profit doesn’t improve off that, we might forget about Sydney and put him away for the winter.”

EMERGENCIES WARNING

Trevor Lanskey’s comments in Saturday’s Courier Mail about the 1000m start at Eagle Farm should be given due consideration.

Lanskey no longer has a public role in racing, after being a rails bookmaker and then leading jockey manager for two decades, but he remains one of the state’s shrewdest form students and says the current policy of huge emergencies deters turnover.

“The 1000m start was stuffed up and now they have to restrict the fields,” he said. “That stems the turnover they say they need and by having lots of emergencies, it restricts early betting.”

Obviously the 1000m start isn’t going to change, but the emergencies is something Racing Queensland could look at.

It’s simply impossible for punters to work out what’s likely to start.

Boom Chicka Boom scored an impressive win at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Picture: AAP

HOW THE FAVOURITES FARED

Race 1

MISHANI MACHINE, Matt McGillivray, $2.60 (3rd): “She needs a more truly run race. The tempo didn’t suit her at all.”

BELLISSIMI AMICI, Robbie Fradd, $2.80 (WON): “She’s a nice little filly still learning her trade.”

RACE 2

QUALITY, SEEKER, Matt McGillivray, $1.90 (WON): I had a nice run in front, stepped it up from the 600m and he was just too good.”

RACE 3

VIOLET, Baylee Nothdurft, $2.60 (WON): She’s been unlucky not to break through earlier. I didn’t mind them going slow because she’s got a nice turn of foot when they go slow.”

BADOOSH, Robbie Fradd, $3.70 (3rd): “I got held up turning for home. The barrier didn’t help. I tried to come through them but it didn’t work.”

RACE 4

SAVWELL, Ryan Maloney, $2.50 (3rd): He felt the track a bit, but in the end it was the two with the fitness edge that got him.”

TURNBERRY, Andrew Mallyon, $2.70 (2nd): He had a lot of weight, but I had a good run and everything worked out apart from the result.”

RACE 5

WRITTEN WITH EASE, Ryan Maloney, $4.20 (7th): “She never stretched out on that track at all. You’ve got to put a pen through it. She was a different horse to what her form suggests.”

SECRET LADY, Baylee Nothdurft, $4.20 (4th): “She had a good blow. Blinkers on in a Class 3 in a couple of weeks she will be hard to beat.”

Baylee Nothdurft reckons punters should stick with Secret Lady. Picture: AAP

RACE 6

EPIC GIRL, Michael Hellyer, $4.50 (3rd): “I think she will be more effective at 1200m when she can get that lead.”

BOOM CHICKA BOOM, Mark Du Plessis, $4.80 (WON): “Barrier one and 54kg was a big advantage and he really exploded from the gates, which meant those that had plans of taking me on couldn’t.”

RACE 7

PLITVICE, Adin Thompson, $3.30, (2nd): “From that barrier I got stuck out wide. I had cover, but once it was gone, I had to track up. He can win again next time.”

RACE 8

PROFIT, Stephanie Thornton, $1.95 (2nd): “1400m is short of his best and he was knocked off by a (40-1) pop. It was a good first up run.”

RACE 9

EMERALD KINGDOM, Robbie Fradd, $2.25 (WON): “That was his big test – 1200m on this track – and he’s come through with flying colours.”