Magic Millions 3YO Guineas champ Abounding gives trainer Rob Heathcote cause for excitement with first-up win at Doomben

Lucrative summer, autumn and winter campaigns await Rob Heathcote’s mare Abounding following her brilliant return at Doomben on Wednesday.

Abounding dashes clear to win the Tatt’s Classic at Doomben on Wednesday. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

Rob Heathcote can start dreaming big with Abounding as the Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas champion produced an arrogant win and gave her rivals a galloping lesson in the Listed Tatt’s Classic (1200m) at Doomben on Wednesday.

Irish eyes were smiling with former Irish jockeys winning both feature races on the day, with Martin Harley producing a peach of a ride to win on Abounding while Melbourne Cup winner Robbie Dolan won the earlier feature on Oughton.

Comeback girl Abounding looked to be travelling beautifully a long way out in the Tatt’s Classic but just needed some luck and she found it under the guidance of jockey wizard Harley.

She’s back 😤

ABOUNDING goes bang in the Tattersall’s Classic in a sizzling first up win! 🏆

Martin Harley in the saddle for the Heathcote barn. pic.twitter.com/r2guIGQwxq

— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) November 27, 2024

Abounding had not won since the dramatic scenes of the $3m Gold Coast Magic Millions in January when the race was delayed extensively when Sydney Bowler was stuck under the barriers before finally being released relatively unharmed.

Abounding has since competed at the elite level and was last seen finishing fourth behind subsequent The Everest winner Bella Nipotina in the Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara at Eagle Farm in June.

Abounding started $5.50 on Wednesday but Heathcote couldn’t believe it when double figures were bet at one stage.

He had pointed out Abounding had finished only two lengths off Bella Nipotina when last seen at the races.

A bit of Harley magic did the rest from the second widest barrier.

“I was surprised when the betting markets went up, didn’t people look at how Abounding only got beaten a couple of lengths behind Bella Nipotina?” Heathcote said.

“Bella Nipotina did go on and win The Everest.

“We actually thought in the stables that Abounding had come back better this campaign.

“We came here today with a high degree of confidence.

“The barrier was tricky but they should show that ride from Martin Harley at the (jockey) apprentice school, it was ten out of ten and it was an absolute cracker.”

Martin Harley returns on Abounding after a brilliant win at Doomben. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

While another rich payday on Magic Millions day in January is the short-term goal for Abounding, Heathcote believes he can start thinking about lucrative summer carnivals and certainly the Queensland winter carnival next year.

“We are gearing towards the big Magic Millions day at the moment,” Heathcote said.

“But she is maybe a Sydney autumn horse or definitely a winter carnival horse.

“She is an excitement machine and a real athlete just to look at.”

Abounding’s exhilarating win came on a day of racing at Doomben which had been rescheduled from a washed out card last Saturday.

There could be more fun to come for Heathcote this week with stable stalwart Rothfire, the Group 1 winner, returning from injury in Saturday’s Group 3 George Moore Stakes at Doomben.

Stablemate Prince Of Boom is also set to resume in the $200,000 George Moore.

Originally published as Magic Millions 3YO Guineas champ Abounding gives trainer Rob Heathcote cause for excitement with first-up win at Doomben