ROB’S SHOUT - LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER
By Robert Heathcote | Thursday, May 26, 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.
A comment was put to me the other day, 'Isn’t it nice when a plan comes together?’
Too bloody right it is! It was only seven day’s ago that I made the following statement in last week’s blog.
‘The showers forecast are a bit of a concern as I do know that 'my best horse' Woorim (big call eh, maybe second best?), just hates the wet and he is desperate to get into the Straddie with a win and a penalty in the BRC Sprint.’
Hard to believe that is all indeed fact now that Woorim won the race and he did get the required penalty and he will now race in this State's most prestigious race, the million dollar Stradbroke Handicap!
I watched the BRC Sprint from the saddling enclosure on the big screen and I stood with my wife and daughter, Vicky and Charmaine, maybe fifteen metres past the winning post as it was literally standing room only and I couldn't get any closer to the finishing line without tackling a photographer!
I didn't really give Damian too many instructions as he knows this horse very well. We knew he would get back, as is his custom, but I also knew he would be coming late and strong as I have always known that this horse does have a freakish final sprint when circumstances permit.
We have seen this powerful sprint already in a few of his wins … none more so when he won last year’s Glasshouse Sprint at the Sunshine Coast with Stathi on top and also when he very nearly won the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield last spring.
I thought he got into a good position early in the race but when he drifted back to second last place coming to the home turn, I do have to admit that I said to Vicky, he can't possibly win from there!
I had my eyes glued on him coming to the home turn and when I saw Damian starting to angle towards the outside my hopes began to rise!
As soon as I saw the 'orange' cap get a clear run I then knew he would come with a rush. I actually took the photo of him as he hit the line but my first reaction was that Tony Gollan and Larry had won the race with the favourite Listen Son.
But then Sky cameraman, Joey Zoppi came running over to me and said, "get ready 'Catzo' … you are on live in five seconds, congrats mate, you have won the race!” Greg Radley stuck the Sky mike into my face and it was only then that it dawned on me that Woorim had actually won the race!
Like so many others, I was initially dumbstruck that he had actually got up in the last 100m to win the race!
Even now when I watch the replay, I still find it extraordinary that he actually got up and won the race from a seemingly impossible position. I still get that special tingle when I hear David’s great race call! Wham Bam, thank you ma’m ,,, don't you just love it! Good onya David, love the added colour!
Things got a bit hectic in the enclosure in the twenty minutes after the race with lots of congratulations and hand shaking. To be honest, the next forty minutes or so felt like five minutes but it was a special moment when I first saw Woorim’s owner Ross Cutts lead Woorim back into the enclosure.
The look of sheer delight on Ross's face to be that much closer to our plan of emulating the deeds of Woorim’s sire. I know this has been a long time passion of Ross and Judy as the owners of Show A Heart and now of his son, Woorim, to win the Stradbroke Handicap with one of Show A Heart’s progeny.
We all enjoyed a cold one in the committee room to celebrate the win with Jon and Steve from Glenlogan Park. It was of course a nervous wait to know if we would indeed now qualify for the Stradbroke which was my wish! Steve was more nervous than me to be honest as a passionate 'Showie' man!
I was delighted when the Racing Queensland handicapper, Nathan Bourke told me in a phone conversation on the Monday morning that he will indeed receive a penalty and he believed he did warrant the 1 kilo penalty that would need to gain a start in the big one on June the 11th!
Yeah, I am biased, but I do think he has earned the right to be in the Stradbroke as it was only a couple of strides that saw him miss a Group 1 win back in the spring carnival.
I can honestly say that his jockey, Damian Browne is true genius at his profession and such a real shame that he incurred the displeasure of the stewards for his ride and copped a subsequent suspension which will see him miss a number of plumb carnival rides.
A real mark of the man to take it all in his stride, with no bitterness to the stewards and to say that he will simply, 'go fishing'!
IF … we can manage to achieve the dream of a Stradbroke win with Woorim, it will be a very special thank you to Mr Damian Browne!
I hope you catch a big fish mate in your break, but if there's a Straddie win to celebrate, you will be on my table I hope!
There is still a ways to go before Straddie day but at this stage I have two runners in the big one which is quite surreal.
Woorim has pulled up in great order after his BRC Sprint win, but know from experience that there are still plenty of things that can go wrong so, until they actually go into the gates for the big race, I will be holding my breath!
Both of my runners are, I believe, genuine chances in the Stradbroke. They are quite different in how they race and their respective positive characteristics.
Woorim definitely needs it dry to be a genuine chance whilst Buffering can handle any rain! Buff can race handy while Woorim gets back but we know he can finish with a rush! It will be nice having a couple of race tempo and track condition options in play for our stable.
On the Sunday after the race, Craig Newitt called in search of the Straddie ride as did Corey Brown’s manager. I discussed this with Ross and he chose to go with Corey Brown to take over from Damian as the new pilot in the Stradbroke. Froggie was close to getting it though!
Woorim will go straight to the Stradbroke now. Its three weeks between runs but it was also three weeks going into the BRC Sprint after his good Victory Stakes
run and it worked well.
I feel Woorim sprints best when a touch on the fresh side and I won't be changing his work routine at all. Les Ross does most of the work on him and it will mainly stay that way as his experience and safe hands are invaluable!
My right hand, Melissa Leitch gives him a gallop at times also so I will stick to this proven method for the big one.
Big Robert 'Toad' O'Leary does wonders looking after his hooves on a daily basis and Chris, his farrier, well he's a legend as well to get Woorim back in the condition he is in! We have had a few problems with his feet but we are certainly winning the battle now!
Buffering will be partnered by his regular jockey in Larry Cassidy. Larry has a great success rate on my horses since he came up from Sydney and I am confident in his abilities to give my horse every chance!
Larry will have to forgo a few dinners to get to the 51kgs but he knows what's ahead of him to get to the weight and I am confident he will. I know Larry would love to see Hay List go home after the 10,000 as the weights would go up a kilo. Me too, come to think of it!
We get to rumble with the hulking Hay List in the 10,000 on Saturday at Doomben with Buffering!
Realistically, if Hay List turns up with his A game on Saturday, he will just win but I do believe there is a glimmer of hope for the others.
I am a little embarrassed when I see Hay List stand next to my little fella, Buffering! Kinda like one of Buff’s owner, Big Zeljko 'Spider' Kalac standing next to Larry Olsen! PLEASE... as big Spider would say!
My bloke has to prove he can run out a strong 1350, maybe he can't and we won't know until he does or at least has a crack at it.
I do know that we have 'The Buff' in great order and I am sure he will again produce his usual gutsy effort. If he were to win this he might get a penalty for the
Stradbroke!
Do you think I would take it? You bloody betcha … but I also know how tough a race it will be.
The Buff has given us about 700,000 reasons to smile so far and we are happy that this unbelievable ride continues on!
Two in the Stradbroke, yes, I am feeling pretty good at this stage of the season!
It looks like being another fantastic day of racing this Saturday at Doomben.
Strong, competitive fields with a host of chances creating great punting value. The forecast looks like being a cracking winter’s day, plenty of sunshine and Queensland racing at its best!
My stable is again well represented with good winning hopes coming from Gundy Son in the sprint, Fillydelphia in the Grand Prix, although she has drawn poorly, and Excellantes, who is smart on his day, is in this tough three-year-old race. Heartshaker is racing in great fettle and the stable newcomer in Work The Room looks like he is an exciting talent.
Captain Clayton and Outstandingly also compliment a great representation from my stable on Saturday as well as the last start Group 3 winner in Humma! (We all had a lovely staff dinner at the Creek last night courtesy of Humma ... lots of fun in this carnival so far for this camp!)
Please come along and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of the 'New Doomben'. A huge congrats to the team at the BRC for the wonderful job they have done in
revamping the facilities … rave revues from everyone so get along there on Saturday and enjoy a great days racing.
Sure, there’s no Black Caviar, but still an exciting days racing beckons!
It won't get much better than this so get cracking and see you at Doomben on Saturday!
Cheers,
Robert
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