Rothfire is now looking to follow in the footsteps of Heathcote’s original pin-up galloper Buffering who won the Manikato Stakes back in 2013.

Booked for Success: Heathcote's gamble paying off

Rob Heathcote learned how to train racehorses from reading books.When he took out his trainer’s license in 1997, the likeable Queenslander had a CV which read 15 years running Contiki Tours across Europe and managing a Ski Lodge in Austria.It’s not quite what you would call the conventional résumé to preparing over 1000 winners and being Brisbane’s leading trainer on multiple occasions.Ironically, the journey of Heathcote and his now eight-year-old gelding Rothfire feels like something you could also read from a book as well.Unfashionably bred and bought sight unseen over the phone, the son of Rothesay cost Heathcote $11,000 – or so he thought.An online scam meant Heathcote actually ended up having to pay for the horse twice. Maybe it was fait, but $22,000 later Rothfire and Heathcote first met.It’s fair to say $3.5 million dollars and seven years later Heathcote doesn’t mind having paid a little extra ‘interest’ on what has turned into his banner horse.Rothfire is now looking to follow in the footsteps of Heathcote’s original pin-up galloper Buffering who won the Manikato Stakes back in 2013.After 18 Group 1 attempts and 10 placings, his crowning moment came at The Valley holding off the Hong Kong champion in Lucky Nine.“It is one of my favourite places to come,” Heathcote said reflecting on his Valley successes.“And what a double header this weekend, Rothfire winning the Manikato and the Brisbane Lions belting the Cats… how good would that be?”Heathcote said 18-year-old Buffering even still pays a visit to his Eagle Farm stables every few months after three wins in the Moir Stakes, a Manikato Stakes and McEwen Stakes all at The Valley.Also, with a McEwen Stakes win to his own name, Rothfire has a second placing to Bella Nipotina in a Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes and comes off a luckless run in the Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes last start.With multiple Manikato Stakes winning jockey Nash Rawiller bullish to chase the ride, Heathcote is confident the Rothfire story still has a chapter or two to come yet.“He was unlucky in the Moir and many feel had he got clear air he would have been in the finish,” he said.“He has been a challenge to train and keep sound and healthy over his career but he is in great order.“I am not here making up the numbers, ‘Rothy’ will go well he always does”Rothfire is one of five Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes runners who took the opportunity to gallop at The Valley on Monday morning alongside Lady Shenandoah, Skybird, Charm Stone and Payline.

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The Valley will once again play host to a leg of the National Pony Racing Series, with the Victorian event set to take place on 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes Day, Saturday 22 March.A collaboration between Pony Club Australia and Thoroughbred Industry Careers (TIC), the series is designed to educate young riders on careers in the racing and breeding industry, giving them a taste of professional competition on major racedays.The series features six race meetings across Australia, culminating in the national finals in June. Before the Victorian leg, Ballarat hosted a Jumpstart weekend, where participants received riding instruction, horse health education, career insights, and rider fitness training.&nbsp;In preparation for their big moment on 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes Day, competitors will also take part in a training day at The Valley to familiarise themselves with the track.On Saturday, two pony races will be held for state finalists aged 9 to 15. The first, over 450m at 11:30 am, is for ponies not exceeding 12.2hh, while the second, over 700m, is for ponies not exceeding 14hh. That event will take place following Race 3 on the card at 1:30 pm.&nbsp;Moonee Valley Racing Club has enjoyed its association with TIC and Pony Club Australia, providing young riders with the opportunity to gain experience on a major racing stage. The Valley hosted a leg of the first National Pony Racing Series in 2023, and last year on 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes Day held a Shetland Pony Race.With the next generation of riders set to take centre stage once again, The Valley looks forward to another thrilling chapter in this growing series.

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