HEATHCOTE KEEPS THE FAITH AS ROTHFIRE AND ABOUNDING TARGET INTERSTATE ASSIGNMENTS

By Graham Potter | Thursday, October 9, 2025

Trainer Robert Heathcote is keeping the faith with his two southern raiders, Rothfire and Abounding as the duo head to different states for their next targeted assignments, both on October 18.

Rothfire will race the $2 million Sydney Stakes on The Everest Day at Randwick

Rothfire, who carries the proud race record of ten wins from thirty-seven starts with $3.5 million banked in prize-money, will head to Sydney coming off an unplaced finish in the Manikato at Moonee Valley on September 26 which he contested second-up.

“He’s better than that,” stated Heathcote.

“I’m not disappointed in Rothfire. I am disappointed they dished up a Firm 3 track … not a Good 3, it was a Firm 3. A number of horses didn’t perform right up to expectations that day … some I believe jarred up … and there was a reason for it. In my opinion, it was because the track was too hard.

“It was unfortunate that it happened. I suppose rain was forecast and it didn’t come, but that doesn’t mean I was any less disappointed with the way the track was presented, but it is what it is.

“The horse is fine. Rothfire is back at Flemington. He’s going to float up to Sydney for the Sydney Stakes on Everest day. Hopefully we get a track with some give in it.

“We fight again.”

Zac Purton, in town to partner The Everest favourite Ka Yong Rising, has been booked to ride Rothfire.
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Abounding will race in Melbourne in the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes on Caulfield Cup day.

The good-looking chestnut son of Rich Enuff, tends to fly under the radar but he is, and has been, a quality performer for some time.

As a three-year-old, Abounding recorded wins in the Gold Edition, the $3 million Magic Millions Three-Year-Old Guineas and finished fourth in the Group 1 Tatts Tiara behind Bella Nipotina, who went on to win The Everest.

As a four-year-old she won the Listed Tatts Classic and finished second in the Group 1 Tatts Tiara … and she has now really stepped things up again as a five-year-old, going to Melbourne and running third in the Group 3 Cockram and the Group 2 Let’s Elope and then, last time out, finishing second in the Group 2 Stocks, never being further back than 1.20 lengths in all of those tuns which equals consistency personified.

Throw in the fact that Abounding was genuinely unlucky in a couple of those outings and you would have little trouble in seeing why Heathcote’s belief in the horse has not been diminished.

“Abounding has been desperately unlucky. She has run three cracking races and arguably could have won all three … certainly should have won the last two,” offered Heathcote.

“Blake (Shinn) is going to ride her at Caulfield in the 1400m Group 2 Tristarc. Then we may bring her home or we may go Melbourne Cup day where there is a mare’s race at Flemington.”

Abounding is a five-time winner from twenty-six starts and, aided by no less than twelve minor placings, she has accrued $2.5 million in prize-money.

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