ROB’S SHOUT - GET SET FOR A REALLY SPECIAL DAY

By Robert Heathcote | Thursday, May 12, 2011

Robert Heathcote is the leading racehorse trainer in Brisbane. 'Rob's Shout' - the personal blog of the premiership winning trainer will appear every Thursday on HRO.

Wow! Only two more sleeps and we have the most eagerly anticipated race this city has seen in a very long time.

Sure, Brisbane has played host to many, many champions over the years which include, in recent times, the likes of Might And Power, Takeover Target, Apache Cat.

I was not around when the earlier champs graced our presence such as Kingston Town, Tulloch and the immortal Bernborough and no doubt there are others, but it’s quite extraordinary the 'electric buzz' which is about town.

The anticipation in the air is almost tangible and I am also excited, not only about seeing 'The world’s best racehorse' in action, but also about racing a horse against her.

Sure there is plenty of debate around as to who is the best in the world at present whether it be Black Caviar, So You Think or perhaps the unbeaten three-year-old of the master of Warren Place in Henry Cecil's Frankel.

It’s really a subjective argument about being the best in the world, kinda like comparing who is the best golfer ever … Jack or Tiger at their best … or who was the best boxer of all time … Mohammed Ali or Iron Mike Tyson at their most feared best … or which was the best footy team in the their prime in the recent era … the Bombers in their heyday, the Lions in the middle of their three-peat or the Cats in more recent times?

All I know is that this mare, Black Caviar, is the best sprinter I have ever seen in my time in racing and she provides further evidence that the racing public just loves to embrace a champion racehorse … and so we should.

She certainly wears that mantel well and if not for her we may well be acclaiming Hay List as one of the best seen since Manikato.

I watched Black Caviar work live on Tuesday on the course proper and quite simply she worked like a finely tuned sports car such as an Aston Martin V8 Vantage!

If she had an exhaust, I am sure she would have that throaty roar synonymous with a highly tuned and powerful sports car engine!

Speaking of Champions, what about Peter Moody. I thoroughly admire Peter for
what he has achieved in a relatively short time in this industry.

There is little doubt that he has climbed to the top of his profession and his results simply speak for themselves.

I have no doubt that Pete, along with the owners, have decided to showcase this wonderful mare to the people of Queensland due to Pete's roots in this State!

Sure, it's another Group 1 race and the prize money befits a feature race, but I am sure that is not the main reason she is here! Good onya Pete for bringing her to Brisbane!

The exposure of Brisbane racing to the whole nation, and even internationally, is huge in these circumstances and surely there could be no better marketing tool than having her race here.

I really do hope that the people of South East Queensland do embrace what a special event this is and what a wonderful opportunity to see an equine superstar in the flesh.

The last few years have been a real struggle for race-clubs to get the crowds back to the races and it is likely to be very long time before there will be a magnet like her for pulling in crowds again!

Getting crowds out of Sports Clubs and Tabs and back to the track will always be a tough task, but let’s hope that on Saturday racing enthusiasts, from hard core to part time, will take the trouble to see the best action 'live' on the racetrack!

If Black Caviar introduces a few newcomers who are interested in knowing what all the hype is about and only a small percentage of these go to the track again, racing as such will have benefitted from having her here.

The atmosphere of a packed crowd and the presence of a champion highlights
the thrill and possibilities which racing has to offer.

It's obviously vital that the club administrators get the mechanics of the day regarding catering and crowd control spot-on. I know an incredible amount of work has gone on behind the scenes to ensure everything flows smoothly.

I would also like to say thanks to the connections of Hay List as well for coming back for 'some more'.

Black Caviar has licked Hay List three times so far and it would have been easy for them to avoid another clash with the great mare, so best of luck to John and connections.

I can also say from first-hand experience how exciting it is for me and the owners of our good, little horse,Buffering, who is in the big-race lineup.

It would have been easy for us to bypass this race also and run him against his own age in the set weight three-year-old races.

Having won the Victory Stakes, Buffering is guaranteed a start in the Stradbroke and, with a weight of only 50.5 kilos and the record of the good three-year-olds over the years, that is now his ‘Grand Final’ … so the timing makes sense to run in this race, then a fortnight later in the 10,000 and then a fortnight into the Straddie, which has always been a dream of mine to win.

Maybe this little horse of ours could be the one to make that dream come true?

Everybody will be coming to Doomben on Saturday to see the mare win.

Certainties in racing are even more rare than champions though so no result is a foregone conclusion, but her record will always show that Black Caviar is a formidable and exceptional talent!

I am a realist and I don't expect to beat the top two in the market, but credit to Larry, my jockey, on Saturday. He's keen to get it on as he knows what a good little fighter our 'bulldog' is!

If the top two have an 'off day', I am sure our lad will be ready to exploit any
weaknesses!

Melito is a star and so to is Albert and Piranha and Snipers so they have earned the right to line up on Saturday.

Together we may not be able to beat the good mare but we will collectively make a race of it and you know what … that's what it is all about, a horse race!

I hope you can make it there on Saturday to enjoy the very best that Brisbane Metropolitan Racing can offer. Tell everyone you know to come along as well … it should be special!

An excited trainer,
Robert

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