ROB'S SHOUT - BUFF AND THE BTC CUP

By Robert Heathcote | Thursday, May 8, 2014

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

It’s been a while since I last blogged and wow, a lot has happened. It’s that time of year again when it’s difficult not to be motivated as we get into the teeth of our Racing Queensland Winter Carnival.

Group 1 racing with a fantastic supporting act as our local racing takes centre stage on the national front. Oops, sorry to the guys in SA where the Goodwood is on! Don’t know how we will ever solve that one but we are a long way apart I guess.

Yes, it’s the Group 1 BTC Cup. The race has been a bit of a ‘nemesis’ to us over the last few years with Buffering. I recall the wonderful racing experience of running third to the great Black Caviar and Hay List a few years ago which to be honest felt like a win as we were that happy! Gee, the excitement we felt just to be a part of it all on that special day for Queensland racing … and to run third … WOW!

We then had the dreadful timing of a stone bruise on the eve of the race a couple of years ago when the Buff had to be a late scratching as favourite. That one hurt but you have to move on … and we did!

Then last year we had the venue change and the crappy weather which saw atrocious conditions. Buffering slipped at the start and never got into his gear for an ordinary fourth place. Funny though, we have never felt Buffering to be anywhere near his best on a rain affected track even though he’s been a multiple wet track winner. I reckon it’s been his class that’s got him home on those occasions over inferior horses.

His recent third in the $2.5 million TJ Smith at the Sydney Championships was an effort full of courage … not ability to handle the wet … well, that’s my opinion anyway but I was so damn proud of him the way he fought to the line on the heavy track.

It’s probably why his chances on Saturday are hinged a bit on the weather and track conditions. Yes, he copes but I really believe Tony gollan’s Temple Of Boom is the horse to beat if the expected rains do come. I did think though that his half-brother, Spirit Of Boom’s run in the recent Victory stakes was a superior run and that the tempo was the only thing which got him beat!

Both Boom Boys were damned impressive though.

Gerald Ryan also has a couple of aces up his sleeve and no doubt like Tony and I, his attention will be glued to the weather and track reports. Those factors can indeed determine the outcome of our first Carnival Group 1.

I am sure both Gerald and Tony are keen to plot a path to defeating my little champ. No doubt they respect him but they will do their best to beat him and they know it will be tough!

The Buff … Yeah, I am happy with him going into this race. It’s been a month since he has run so it was essential that I kept him up to the mark fitness wise and in the right frame of mind. We all know what he does best. He jumps and he runs. He runs fast and he keeps going.

Good luck to the horse that runs him down!

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I am lining up a couple in the Listed Bribie Handicap on Saturday.

Again, the track and weather worries the hell out of me with Excellantes. He has come back into form brilliantly with a last start Listed Hinkler Stakes win over 1200. He quite simply is not effective on a wet track so fingers crossed there.

Mind you, I also have Saluter in the Bribie having his first start for my stable. He is a former million dollar race winner who’s had a few soundness issues but his lead up work has been very good. I think the 1100m dash will be too short for him, but he is fresh and he certainly has the ability to be competitive.

The star from the north, Our Boy Malachi lines up and he is just going super. His trainer, John O’Sing has done a super job with the horse and I’d love to see him keep him going! Well done John!

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The unofficial start to the carnival kicked off well for the stable with Hopfgarten winning the Group 3 Gunsynd Stakes.

It is a good race to win again after ‘Trump’ won it for us a few years ago and he has done well in Hong Kong since he went there.

Hopfgarten is a little special to me as he’s named after a village in Austria where I had several wonderful years with Contiki Tours in my earlier years as a tour manager in Europe. Believe me, you may never have heard of this little village but those who have been there never forget it.

Hopfgarten is a great place with wonderful local people and some wonderful memories … if only I could remember some of them!

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The racing season has about thirteen weeks to go and I already want to congratulate Tony Gollan and Matt Dunn for the excellent seasons they are having.

Their hard work has been well rewarded with much success and no doubt they will be getting itchy feet as the season comes to an end. I am sure they both want to put a stop to my run of five metro Premierships and be crowned the premier trainer for the year!

“Listen ya young upstarts … I’m not going down without a fight so the Premiership is there to be won. Good luck to you both, do your best as I know you both will.

I have enormous respect for both of your abilities.

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Speaking of not going down without a fight, I suppose I should mention the promotional boxing match that Tony Gollan and I had on Wednesday … yeah, a friendly five minutes of sparring was suggested by the marketing guru’s!

Like that was ever gonna happen? The big boof-head from Toowoomba belted me and I reckon he was only in going half pace! Thankfully I survived the experience but he has helped my diet … I don’t reckon I will be able to chew for a week!

Yeah, one- nil to Gollan this week so far. Hopefully Buff can square the ledger on Saturday!

Finally, to all of you ‘Buff’ fans … this is a call to arms! Please come to Doomben on Saturday and cheer on the Buff as he seeks his first Group 1 on home soil.

After all … he is a Queenslander!

Happy to be back.

Get racing.

Cheers,
Robert

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