ROB’S SHOUT - LIFE GOING INTO THE STRADBROKE MAY BE HECTIC BUT IT IS A REAL BUZZ
By Robert Heathcote | Thursday, June 9, 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.
It's been a very hectic month with the carnival but, hey, so far it's been great for my stable, even if we have been putting in some long hours.
The stable success on the track has certainly exceeded our expectations and dare we dream that the best is still to come? Remember, dreams are so much or what this industry is all about!
Already this week has been a very busy time, but I have to be honest and say that it has been a real buzz.
It’s Stradbroke week and that's always exciting for us in South East Queensland, whether we have runners or not.
There is that special vibe about the place. The ‘Breakfast with the Stars’ at Eagle Farm on Tuesday had that special feeling to it which helps creates the kind of ‘big race’ atmosphere that makes this time of year special.
The Brekky with the stars had a good turnout and it was good to see all the kids there for the schools paint the horse competition. A great club initiative indeed and one thought up by the first lady of racing, Gai Waterhouse!
Sure, it was another busy work morning for us as the stable went through the usual work routine as we worked through the fifty odd horses but with the media
presence and the excitement of the big one coming on Saturday, there was that special air of expectation about the place which even gets my staff a little bit excited!
I am always a big believer in a steady routine for the horses in my care so it's only after very special consideration that I change the horse’s work procedure to any great degree.
It was also a challenge for the horses to take on the media gauntlet as they walked through the mounting yard so that raised the blood pressure a few times, especially with the youngsters.
The opportunity to work/gallop the horses on the course proper, if they were Saturday nominated in the feature races, was too good an option to refuse so I had about eight horses work on the 'big track'!
There was a lot of media focus on Woorim and Buffering who galloped together on the course proper.
I am always very mindful of the obligations that we as participants have to the industry. I have seen a no better example of this than the way Peter Moody and Luke Nolen freely gave their time and worked with the media during the feeding frenzy of what was the Black Caviar 'juggernaut'!
Nathan from the Courier Mail had asked if Woorim's owners could be present for some pics after his work and Woorim, the true gentleman that he is, duly obliged in the mounting yard.
My experience as a European Tour Manager has held me in good stead with regards to 'public speaking' which is important when handling the media commitments.
I believe it is essential that we as trainers and jockeys give the public as much information as we can and work closely with the media without intruding too much into the horse’s routine.
Yes, it's important to be honest and forthright with what you say … trying to be optimistic when interviewed regarding any horses chances without having to state the obvious that there will always be a myriad of things that can and do go wrong!
The times have changed this past ten years, or even longer, with mass media playing such a vital part in our lives and with the thoroughbred racing industry facing a huge challenge with wagering changes which, like it or not, are the wheels that do drive this industry.
I believe it is important to provide the media, and hence the punters, with all of the information available to allow them to make accurate form assessments.
Yeah, sure, there will always be time when we make comments which don't turn out to be right but, as I have said it many times, racing is very much an inexact
science because if it were that easy, everyone would be 'doing it'.
Remember, we jockeys and trainers give our time and opinions to the media for free as a service to the industry. This fact is often overlooked!
I personally don't feel any of the so called big race pressures as much I used to when I started as I have been doing this long enough now.
I would have had the shakes years ago when I had a favourite in a Maiden at Kilcoy but I have long learned that if I have done everything to the best of your ability to have the horse race to its best ability, then I am at ease with how fate deals out the circumstances of a race.
Mind you, I can say that now but I guess there will be a few butterflies as the last couple go in for the running of this year's Stradbroke Handicap. Having a couple of runners in the race this year is extremely satisfying to me and my staff.
I have raced horses here in South East Queensland since 1997 and seen the running of quite a few Straddies. I was wrapped to see Bazza Baldwin win it a few years back and I would love to join the club with the newer, slimmer Barry!
Our task has been made a fair bit harder with the barrier draws. My wife drew Woorim's marble and asked me what I wanted? I said I wanted gate 8 or 10 so Vicky drew gate 18. She said she added the numbers together! Kiwi's!
The weather is the big key to Woorim's chances as he is going to be getting back anyway. He will probably be giving away more start now so his job is definitely harder but I cannot be any more confident that we have him spot on going into the race.
Ross and Judy were there for some media pics. They have won the race previously with Woorim's sire, Show A Heart so they have said the trophy needs a mate! I hope they get their wish!
Buffering has drawn well in 10. The 1400 is surely the testing material for him but he will be pushing forward from the gate and either leading or sitting upsides the leader.
It was an error to try and take a sit on him in the 10,000 so we will ask Glyn to let the horse do what he does best and that is to run along.
He worked brilliantly with Woorim on Tuesday on the course proper so I am sure he will give his all.
His last start failure, which was his first, will put a lot off him but I have always found that the really good ones do deserve to be excused every now and then. He had excuses in the 10,000, but the question of whether he will get the trip does remain unanswered at this stage which is why he will be big odds.
It will be the riders first ride on both of my runners but that doesn't bother me. They are professionals at the top of their game and they have done their homework.
Corey has watched Woorim's win and he knows what he is capable of doing if he can have him in the right spot at the 300. Glyn is an excellent front running rider so he will get the Buff out and rolling early. It was uncharacteristic for him to 'fluff' the start at his last run so I will be asking Glyn to get him out and rolling.
There is a fair bit of speed in the race and quite a bit drawn out wide so I would expect another solidly run Stradbroke which does seem to be the norm.
My good mate Tony Gollan's runner, Listen Son, will be right on the bunny and if I can't win it, I do hope it is Tony who I think is a shining light among the Queensland training ranks and a good bloke to boot. And if it ain’t Tony getting the blue ribbon, I then hope it's another local trainer!
Tony is always the first to shake my hand when I win a race. I love his sportsmanship. Someone said it was a Toowoomba thing!
Win, lose or whatever on Saturday, it has been a memorable carnival for the Heathcote Racing Stable, the staff and our many owners and friends.
I am a lucky guy but I am also a realist and I do know how this industry can really bite you on the bum when it wants to! I have learned to take it as it comes. The harder we work it just seems the luckier we get.
Cheers for now,
Rob.
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