Rob Heathcote lands emotional win for fallen mate Brad Russell following surf death

Rob Heathcote left with a $100,000 bonus when Cosmo Centaurus won at the Sunshine Coast, but the trainer was almost brought to tears over the death of his mate a week earlier.

Cosmo Centaurus dashes away to win the $100,000 Inglis bonus for Rob Heathcote and jockey Bailey Wheeler at the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

Rob Heathcote landed a rich reward with a promising horse at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday, but the trainer was almost brought to tears remembering a great mate who passed away a week earlier.

The Eagle Farm trainer had big wraps on Cosmo Centaurus, who delivered with victory in the QTIS 3YO Handicap (1000m), however it was Brad Russell who was on his mind after he died during an ocean surf ski event at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Russell was a member at Royal Queensland, along with Heathcote and the ownership group of Cosmo Centaurus, who picked up a $100,000 Inglis bonus for winning the race.

“It is a special win because these are all mates of mine from the golf club (Royal Queensland) and I want to dedicate this one because it brings a tear to my eye,” Heathcote, who showed more emotion than a Group 1 victory, said.

The favourite gets the money!

✨ Cosmo Centaurus wins his first start at @SCTurfClub! pic.twitter.com/baKDj9Ui4C

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 10, 2024

“We lost a great mate last Saturday, he was in that rowing race down the Gold Coast, Brad Russell at age 58 – this is for you, Brad.

“We are going to have a big wake at the golf club next week for him.

“He was a top lawyer in Brisbane, he is a mate of all of ours, we all played golf with him and we are in a state of shock to tell you the truth.

“He was a ripper bloke, this is a special win for him.”

Heathcote didn’t mince his words during the week when he declared Cosmo Centaurus the best juvenile to walk into his stable in years, and punters followed in accordingly, where he started a $2.10 favourite.

Brad Russell passed away during an ocean surf ski event last week. Picture: McCullough Robertson Lawyers

Liam Birchley’s Dream Smart was desperately unlucky in second after coming up short in second following a troubled run n transit.

“It is always special to win a race, particularly when there is a big bonus attached to it like this, so thank you Inglis,” Heathcote said.

“I put a bit of pressure on myself by saying he is the best juvenile I have had in my yard since Rothfire.

“He has got the job done today, I know there is some improvement to come yet.”

It marked the first leg of a treble for Heathcote and his apprentice Bailey Wheeler, who enjoyed a day out at the Sunshine Coast.

The pair combined to win the last race with Cunnamulla Fella, while Heathcote also won with Better Be Nordy earlier on the card and Wheeler saluted aboard Essonne for Richard Litt.

Meanwhile, Tony Gollan-trained mare Liqour was in the winner’s circle again on Saturday after stewards upheld a protest from jockey Angela Jones against first-past-the-post Mr Galazi, who was found to have shifted out dramatically in the dying stages of the race.

Mr Galazi fights hard to win at @SCTurfClub for @CejayGraham1 and David Murphy! pic.twitter.com/u7kxmay2iz

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 10, 2024

Gollan and Jones argued they would have won the race, had it not been for the interference from jockey Cejay Graham.

In the stewards room, Graham and trainer David Murphy agreed Mr Galazi shifted out, but argued it did not impede Liquor.

Stewards upheld the protest in near record time.

Liquor was coming off a win at Doomben, where half of the field was scratched after they were found to have not been afforded a fair start.

Originally published as Rob Heathcote lands emotional win for fallen mate Brad Russell following surf death