ROTHFIRE POSTS A WARNING OF THINGS TO COME

By Graham Potter | Tuesday, August 3, 2021

It was just twelve months ago when Rothfire was being primed to launch into the new season which promised so much for the well performed son of Rothesay.

At that time, the Robert Heathcote gelding had won six of his eight starts, including the Group 1, J J Atkins. Connections had a spring in their step as he prepared to tackle the Golden Rose and The Everest, but the bright light which shone on his pathway forward suddenly went dark when Rothfire suffered a career threatening injury in the Gold Rose and did not make it to The Everest.

It was a devastating turn of events, particularly because of the then very real possibility that the injury might have ended Rothfire’s career … that remained a very open question.

In an instant, the focus changed from chasing glory on the racetrack to ensuring the finest care for Rothfire and putting in place a rehabilitation process that would be the best available to ensure Rothfire’s well-being into the future.

Even then, with only nine runs under his belt, Rothfire did not owe anybody anything. His well-being was prioritised above everything else.

Apart from having superior racing ability, Rothfire also had another big, positive attribute … one which went a long way to seeing him come through a tough time. He was a very good patient and his temperament clearly was a factor in his rate of progress which has been slow but steady and very pleasing to say the least.

Back in the Heathcote stable, Rothfire trialled in Trial 1 at Doomben over 1000m on Tuesday morning. Rothfire stopped the clock in an impressive 55.95 seconds after racing up front with the Tony Gollan trained Le Palmier for most of the trip before putting that one away of the final 100m.

The Everest, one year after it was first targeted, still remains the Rothfire dream for the season. A bit of water has to pass under the bridge before then, but credit to all of those involved in the Rothfire story for getting him back to where he is now.

While they are only indications at this stage … the signs are good that, whatever race route he ultimately takes, Rothfire can go on to achieve the heights that his potential suggested he would, seemingly so long ago.

Unwanted as a yearling, Rothfire was already a bit of a fairytale story before his serious setback.

If he comes back and wins another major race … well, that would just put an exclamation mark behind what would be an amazing story!

Rothfire