Eagle Farm races: Rothfire stamps his authority in Champagne Classic
Rothfire reminded everyone of why rating experts had him among the nation’s best two-year-olds as Rob Heathcote and Jim Byrne toasted a dominant win in the Champagne Classic.
Racing
Don't miss out on the headlines from Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Rothfire reminded everyone of why rating experts had him among the nation’s best two-year-olds earlier this season as Rob Heathcote and Jim Byrne toasted a dominant performance in the Group 2 Champagne Classic at Eagle Farm.
Rothfire’s first four wins had many urging Heathcote to take him to Sydney for a crack at the Golden Slipper, but the trainer’s preference had always been to bide his time and wait for the Brisbane carnival.
The money is not the same as what was initially on the table, but the prestige is still there and Heathcote is now eyeing off a maiden Group 1 win in his home state in next month’s J.J. Atkins.
Watch sport on Kayo. Anywhere. Anytime. Just $25/month, cancel anytime. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Heathcote said the Champagne Classic has a special place in his heart, as it was the first feature he won as a trainer, with Chenar in 2000. He also won it with Funtantes in 2009.
He admitted to some pre-race nerves and took particular satisfaction in the gelding’s dominant performance.
“He’s beaten a couple of pretty good horses there,” he said. “He raced a touch fresh today and Jimmy confirmed that when he came in, he was just charging a little up on the bridle more than we would have liked.
Rothfire in control from start to finish in the G2 Champagne Classic. They just couldn't catch him! @BrisRacingClub @RaceQLD pic.twitter.com/mVWQwvqrTd
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 23, 2020
“That’s just freshness more than anything. He’s such a laid-back cool customer and that’s going to bring him on super for that 1400m in two weeks.”
Big betting punters didn’t need reminding of Rothfire’s ability. After Isotope had been the ‘money’ runner all week, it did a complete U-turn in the last five minutes of betting, with Rothfire firming to start $2.40 and Isotope easing to $2.90.
Jim Byrne missed the two winning rides on Rothfire last preparation because of injury and was delighted to be back aboard on Saturday.
“I worked hard to try and get back on him,” Byrne said. “It’s just one of those things. You just have to suck it up. I’ve always had a pretty big opinion of him.
“Everyone (was) convicting him on the Jewel defeat. You just had to watch his stride. You can see that he constantly floundered that day, so he should be undefeated in my opinion.”
Byrne dared to suggest Rothfire will be even better when he gets to 1400m.
“He still raced a bit keen today. He will get better. You see it in his work, you see it in his races. The further he gets into his prep, the better he gets.
“1400m I don’t foresee it being an issue, in fact I see him being better over 1400m. I just do think at this present point, right here today, if it was 1400m he gets beat, because he just wants to go a bit hard, but coming forward to his next run I think you will see a lot better horse, a calmer horse, a lot more relaxed.”
Baylee Nothdurft wasn’t too disappointed with the first defeat of Isotope and tipped her to be better for the experience.
“She raced good and that will top her off good for Grand Final Day,” he said.
Supergiant takes huge toward a Rough ride
Michael Costa flagged Supergiant as a potential Queensland Derby candidate the day he beat The Candy Man in a gallop at the Gold Coast in March.
The Derby may be off the table this year, but Costa’s assessment of the horse has proven spot on after he took out the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic (1800m) at Eagle Farm.
It was a maiden Group win for both Costa and jockey Allan Chau, with Supergiant having the skinniest of margins to spare over Ballistic Boy right on the line.
It would have been a first Group success for Ballistic Boy’s trainer Chris Anderson as well, but it was Costa who enjoyed the spoils.
“Statistically we’ve been going very strong,’’ Costa said. “We’ve just been waiting for the right horses to come into the barn, so we’re ecstatic.
A thrilling finish in the G3 Gunsynd Classic with @mcosta_racing's Super Giant getting up in a photo @BrisRacingClub @RaceQLD pic.twitter.com/3iNGB2rOSr
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 23, 2020
“There’s still improvement in this horse. We’re just getting to know him. He’s not a horse you can do a lot with in trackwork, so fitness comes through in his races.”
Supergiant will now contest the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate, which is the grand final for the staying three-year-olds at this year’s revised and shortened carnival.
Chau was sporting the biggest of grins after returning to scale.
“As a jockey we all work towards these big races,” he said. “To get here on a special horse like this is just a bonus.
“He was very game in defeat last start across the road. I went into this race very confident. I did all my homework, all the chances had drawn wide. He showed his toughness at the end.’’
The Chris Waller-trained Kinane started the odds-on favourite, but could only manage third.
Jockey Ryan Maloney said Kinane would come on for the run.
“I sort of rode him a bit arrogantly, I thought he was the best horse in the race, he was found wanting the last furlong,” he said.
Originally published as Eagle Farm races: Rothfire stamps his authority in Champagne Classic
Striking colt grabs Attention for Guineas tilt
Public Attention announced himself as a Group 1 Randwick Guineas contender with an impressive return win in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes at Randwick.
‘We love you, Col’: Jamie fulfils Group 1 dream with Another Wil
Jamie Melham had her wish come true when Another Wil won the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes for late owner Colin McKenna, days after what would have been his 75th birthday.