Rob Heathcote labels debutant Pinch Passion under the odds

ROB Heathcote has labelled the short price being offered about debutant Pinch Passion at Doomben on Saturday as “ridiculous” and labelled him “a huge risk”.

Olena Khamula and Queensland warhorse Buffering, who continues his preparation towards the Manikato Stakes. Picture: Mark Stewart

ROB Heathcote has labelled the short price being offered about debutant Pinch Passion at Doomben on Saturday as “ridiculous” and labelled him “a huge risk”.

Pinch Passion is one of 10 first starters in the Dovey Dash 2YO Handicap (1050m) and is a $3 chance with UBET after some agencies bet as much as $6.50 on Wednesday.

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“I’d love to be wrong and may well end up looking like a goose, but gee that’s a short price,” he said.

“He’s only had two jumpouts and he’s taking on Ben Currie’s horse (Pure Luck) that has already won a race and had the form franked last week.”

The multiple premier winning trainer is not playing down Pinch Passion’s ability and in fact believes he is a good long-term prospect for the stable, but he fears Saturday’s assignment will come all too quickly for him.

“Don’t get me wrong. He’s a talent and it’s quite remarkable what he’s achieved in a short space of time, but he’s just doing this on raw ability and a very limited preparation. I think he’s a huge risk,” he said.

It was never Heathcote’s intention to have Pinch Passion at the races this time in.

“I brought him in originally for one week to give him an education,” he said.

“He seemed to enjoy it, so I gave him another week. The same again in the third week. He was still enjoying it so I decided to give him a gallop and he just said ‘give me more.’

“so we gave him a 400m jumpout and I expected him to be found out, but he ran second up the straight at Eagle Farm.

“So then we went across the road to Doomben and gave him an 800m jumpout and Danny Peisley, who weighs about 65kg rode him. He was pretty impressive and all the professionals who watch the jumpouts were jumping out of trees to come down and get his brands (to identify the horse).

“Obviously they’ve seen him in and backed him, but I think at the sort of odds they are offering now, he’s a ridiculous price.”

Olena Khamula from The Bachelor with Buffering this week. Picture: Mark Stewart

Meanwhile, stable star Buffering continues to progress towards the Manikato Stakes later this month.

“He had a good blow after the Moir, he pulled up big and at the end of the day, he got beat a head by the best sprinter in the world,” he said.

“My honest gut feel is that he was underdone after he last raced in Hong Kong and I believe he will improve significantly on that run. Yes, he will have to, but there’s certainly room for optimism.”

Buffering, winner of more than $7 million, featured in a photo shoot earlier this week with beaten The Bachelor contestant Olena Khamalu as part of Racing Victoria’s ‘Find your horse’ promotion.

Originally published as Rob Heathcote labels debutant Pinch Passion under the odds