ROB'S SHOUT - FIFI PROVIDES A CHRISTMAS BONUS

By Robert Heathcote | Thursday, December 20, 2012

Robert Heathcote is the leading racehorse trainer in Brisbane. 'Rob's Shout' - the personal blog of the multi-premiership and Group 1 winning trainer will appear every Thursday on HRO.

FIRE UP FIFI! Ho.Ho.Ho!

A very welcome Christmas bonus came in the form of Fire Up Fifi winning the LISTED Just Now Quality at Eagle Farm last Saturday.

Whilst I never like having multiple runners in any race, at times it’s simply is unavoidable as was the case last Saturday with my top three mares Fifi, Funtantes and
Fillydelphia.

Each of these mares has done a fantastic job for my stable and each are held in very high regard by me.

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Fillydelphia was arguably very unlucky not to have won on Saturday as she was held up for clear running at a crucial time, ironically enough, by her stable mate.

She has had a bit of a mixed prep this time in with a good win and a couple of ordinary runs so it was great to see her bounce back with a top run.

I was becoming a little concerned with a fetlock issue she has had due to a little bit of wear and tear but that run showed she is back to her best and bang on target for another huge run in the $200k Bernborough on Saturday week.

She was beaten a short margin last year and hopefully she can go the one better this year.

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Funtantes once again had to do it tough from a wide gate and I now have to concede that any further than 1200m is beyond her.

Her racing career is winding down but she will always have that special place in my heart as my first Group 2 winner and she's won well over $550k so she has been a real stable star.

I have popped her back out to Washpool Lodge for a freshen up with some day yard time and a few sessions on the water walker!

A race like the Listed Fillies and Mares race at Doomben on the 28th Jan back over the 1200 can suit her and she always goes very well when kept nice and fresh.

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Well, Fire Up Fifi. What a real revelation she has been!

After a relatively slow start to her career, she has really blossomed this last 12 months and she now has an imposing record of 9 wins and 6 placing's from her 22 starts and also now has very well-deserved black type next to her name.

She is a very sound and healthy five-year-old mare with only the 22 runs on the clock so her very best may still be ahead of her.

Her immediate goal is also the Bernborough Handicap at Doomben on the 29th and she might take some beating in that as the distance is probably her best and she is still on the up!

I still get a huge thrill when I see the pure pleasure and enjoyment a good horse can bring to the connections.

Graham Billingshurst paid only $5000 for the grey by Bradburys Luck and he named her after his daughter Nicole's catch cry of 'let’s fire up' and his granddaughter 'Sophia' and the entire family sure do get an enormous buzz when Fifi is racing.

Racing often has many stories of success … and of course tales of woe also … but Fifi's is a warm hearted story and whilst Graham may not want me saying it, he is a very charitable man and it's funny how good deeds can come back in spades.

Great stuff and I have a feeling Fifi's success on the race-track may well not be over just yet.

The Bernborough run and then probably back to the paddock to have her primed for the upcoming winter carnival which is here before we know it!

I may consider the Listed Sunshine Coast Cup on the 26th January, but its encroaching a bit on her spell time to be ready for May, but it's possible!

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The festive season is right on us now and that means its Magic Millions time again and there is lots of jostling for a place in the big Million dollar races in early January.

I think it's a great concept and there is little doubt of the success of the carnival and the huge economic boost for the state's economy and the racing industry.

I do have a concern with the actual track itself which is in need of a serious make-over but to race basically every Saturday year in and year out on the track, I guess it's to be expected that it cops a hammering!

Hopefully the weather is kind to us and Santa is also kind to you as well.

Merry Christmas.

Catch up next year.

Robert

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