Rob Heathcote still hopeful Rothfire can recover in time for Stradbroke Handicap

Rothfire has given trainer Rob Heathcote some hope of making the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap after his recovery from a hoof infection took a positive turn.

Recovering Rothfire is some chance of conjuring a Stradbroke Handicap “miracle” after improving “enormously” when a foot infection broke.

Trainer Rob Heathcote said his remarkable Group 1 warrior is a “slim chance” to line up in the Stradbroke on Saturday week but his prospects have improved.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Heathcote gave Racenet permission to publish video of Rothfire swimming and walking and also an image of the area of concern in his hoof.

“Rothfire has improved enormously, he was swimming this morning,” Heathcote told Racenet.

“The infection was tracked to a coronet band (soft, fleshy area at the top of the hoof where the hoof wall grows) and it (the infection) broke out.

“He’s not 100 per cent, but improved enormously when this happened.

🎥 | Rothfire has improved his prospects of lining up in the Stradbroke Handicap.

STORY: https://t.co/i1L3xB7TCXpic.twitter.com/s963Cg4QiT

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 5, 2025

“It was a miracle that he raced on earlier in his career after sesamoid fractures and surgery.

“He now needs another miracle to make the race.

“He will not run unless 100 per cent sound.

“I am still happy with his fitness levels.”

Heathcote said Rothfire would still need to pass vet and stewards checks but if he continued to improve in the next 48 hours, he was a chance to take his place in the Group 1 Stradbroke on Saturday week.

Rothfire is recovering from a hoof infection. Pictures: Trackside Photography, Rob Heathcote stable

Seven-year-old marvel Rothfire, coined the “Thriller from Chinchilla”, turned back the clock when producing an incredible run in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 to only narrowly be beaten by Sunshine In Paris.

But he then suffered what Heathcote initially believed was a stone bruise.

In latest betting, Rothfire is a $26 chance in the Stradbroke on Saturday week.

He had been slated to race in the Kingsford Smith Cup, which was originally meant to be raced last Saturday, until the issue surfaced.