HEATHCOTE EYES QUEENSLAND WINTER CARNIVAL TARGETS FOR ABOUNDING AND PRESS LINK

By Graham Potter | Thursday, March 21, 2024

The Magic Millions Three-year-Old Guineas winner Abounding is back in work and trainer Robert Heathcote is busy plotting a feature race path for the chestnut daughter of Rich Enuff as the Queensland Winter Carnival looms ahead on the horizon.

“Abounding has come back really well … stronger this time than last prep,” said Heathcote.

“Probably the start of next week I’m going to start increasing the tempo in her work. She’s going to step up to some gallop work.

“My early race plans for her are the Gold Coast Guineas … bearing in mind she did win the Magic Millions Three-Year-Old Guineas down there, so has shown a liking for the track which she handled well.

“There is a lovely progression of races for her from there through the Winter Carnival.

“We’ll look at any Group or Listed race … particularly at set weights … but obviously a Stradbroke, where she will get in with 49 to 51kg, is on the radar with the Tatts Tiara another obvious target.

“She’s already earned her owners $2.1 million so she has done an amazing job so far.”

That $2.1 million haul of prize-money has come via four wins (including the Magic Millions win and a Listed race win in the Gold Edition) and six placings from eleven starts. That’s a pretty neat return … and counting … for a $75 000 purchase.

Interestingly enough, Heathcote will be applying the same strategy used in Abounding’s buildup to her Magic Millions triumph with another of his rising stars, Press Link, who last Saturday made it three wins from three starts when saluting over 1200m.

“With Abounding, going into the Magic Millions it was 1200m to 1400m with a month between runs … and it worked,” said Heathcote.

“I’ll be using the same theory with Press Link … it will be five weeks between runs, with a week in the paddock, trial … straight to 1400m … straight into the Daybreak Lover … and then the Group 2 Queensland Guineas over a mile.

“Both Michael Rodd (who has ridden Press Link in all three starts) and I think he will be better over a mile because he relaxes so well and has got a devastating sprint.”

Patience has been the name of the game with Heathcote.

The trainer turned down the option to take Abounding to the $3.75 million All-Star Mile after she had earned a Golden Ticket into the race with her Magic Millions Guineas win … and he also advised connections that Press Link be held back … given more time … and not race at the Magic Millions Carnival.

Press Link’s undefeated record tells its own story in that regard.

As the late, great Bart Cummings once famously said, “Patience is the cheapest thing in racing and the least used.”

Heathcote is using it alright … and it is serving him well.

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