Winning feeling remains with Rob Heathcote as Volkhere salutes at Eagle Farm

THE afterglow of Buffering’s stunning Group 1 success burned brightly at Eagle Farm yesterday for Queensland’s premier trainer Rob Heathcote.

Gods continue to shine on premier Queensland trainer Rob Heathcote as he breaks run of outs with Eagle Farm winner. Picture: Peter Bull

THE afterglow of Buffering’s stunning Group 1 success burned brightly at Eagle Farm yesterday where Volkhere broke a long run of city outs for Queensland’s premier trainer Rob Heathcote.

The Class Six Plate (2100m) was nothing like the Group 1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night where Buffering finally cracked a long-overdue Group 1 drought.

However Volkhere’s neck win over Pirate Bay was also significant for Heathcote.

Before yesterday, a Class 4 event at the Gold Coast was Heathcote’s only winner from his latest 50 runners and things had got so grim he feared a virus had floored his stable.

“My Brisbane stable has been badly out of form for about six weeks now so it is great to crack a winner,’’ Heathcote grinned after Volkhere’s win.

Promising filly Setfire To Therain was the subject of a nationwide betting plunge and did not let her backers down with a dominant win in the 2YO Fillies Handicap (1000m).

As much as $11 was offered on Darren Bell’s filly when betting opened on Thursday but she was heavily backed and started as the $2.80 favourite before leading all the way.

The winning margin was only 3/4 length after Wicked Temptation ($17) flew home, but Setfire To Therain held all the honours after being taken on by I’m Chillin in the early stages.

There was a dramatic aftermath to the race when Chris Munce, the rider of fourth-placed Runway Angel, was stood down sick for the day after returning to the scales in clear distress.

Runway Angel almost certainly should have run third but Munce, who will ride Dear Demi in the Melbourne Cup, was struggling near the line and later complained of “seeing stars".

Munce, who almost fainted before he was examined by the club doctor and was then sent home, will be questioned by stewards on the ride later in the week.

Setfire To Therain is Magic Millions qualified and is likely to give Bell his first runner in Queensland’s richest race on the Gold Coast in January.