Queensland warhorse Rothfire has added arguably the greatest chapter to his incredible story with a stunning hometown victory in the Doomben 10,000.
From trainer Robert Heathcote having to pay for him twice after being duped by an internet phishing scam, to the horse breaking down so badly in the 2020 Golden Rose it was feared he may never race again, Rothfire has been a veritable phoenix rising from the ashes.
Against the odds, the eight-year-old has continued to perform at black-type level, including winning last year’s Group 3 Sydney Stakes (1200m) on The Everest undercard in a victory Heathcote rated the horse’s greatest — until Saturday.
“I thought we’d reached the pinnacle when he won the Sydney Stakes, but I reckon this one tops it,” Heathcote said.
“I have had many highlights in my career but to win this in front of such a wonderful crowd here today, it’s such a quality field, with all my family, it’s just super.”
Rothfire was edged out in last year’s Doomben 10,000 (1200m) by Sunshine In Paris and Heathcote also had to settle for the minor prize with his original stable flagbearer, Buffering, who was placed in three successive renewals between 2012-14.
Those losses still smarted for Heathcote, who finally buried them with Rothfire’s triumph.
“What a journey this horse has taken us on,” Heathcote said.
“Redemption is sweet.”
Rothfire had finished out of the placings in The Archer (1300m) at Rockhampton first-up and Heathcote had to hunt around for a jockey to ride him early in the week.
He opted for Victorian-based Brad Rawiller, who made the trip to Brisbane for one ride.
Rawiller said he went into the race confident Rothfire could make his presence felt if given the right ride and that optimism was borne out.
The gelding was the jockey’s 26th winner at Group 1 level and first since the 2020 Winterbottom Stakes in Perth on Elite Street.
“We’re two iron men, myself and the horse. To me, it was D-Day for both of us,” Rawiller said.
“For me to get what I thought was a genuine chance in a Group One was pretty special and then to get the job done. Twenty-six ‘G Ones’ now, I’d like to think I’ve still got it.
“The whole race I was pretty intent with how it had worked out for us.”
Rothfire powered down the outside to score by a length over Spicy Martini, with Napoleonic another nose away third.
The Chris Waller-trained Kilman was an upset winner of the Rough Habit Plate (2000m), running his rivals off their feet to defeat Beauty Swift and stablemate Providence.
The champion trainer wasn’t surprised by the victory, saying Kilman hadn’t enjoyed the heavy conditions in the Queensland Guineas last start.
“His form was good all prep. He was narrowly beaten in the Carbine Club (Stakes) in Sydney, and he didn’t quite handle the track last start. He was dipping and diving,” Waller said.
All three placegetter hold entries for the Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on May 30.
