Woorim Gets Shot At Top Grade

BRISBANE trainer Robert Heathcote will give handy sprinter Woorim a shot at top grade in Saturday's Group 1 Sir Rupert Clark Stakes at Caulfield.
Heathcote declared he would back up Woorim after finishing a luckless eighth behind Peturbo in a 1200m Handicap at Moonee Valley last Saturday.
Woorim was trapped behind a wall of horses at the Valley and was unable to unleash his powerful finishing burst, well known to Queensland racegoers.
Although he finished eighth, the five-year-old was beaten just over two lengths and jockey Stathi Katsidis went to the line with a lap full of horse.
"He was in the worst part of the track at the Valley," Heathcote said.
"We know what this horse is capable of doing the last 200m when given his head, but he simply wasn't able to do that on Saturday and went to the line pretty softly.
"Hence the reason, because of programming down here I had no hesitation in backing him up in the Group 1. It suits his program. The 1400m is his best distance and he pulled up so well. At the end of the day we're down here to try to win some black type races.
"Obviously it's a massive leap in class for the horse, but the only way to find out if he's up to them is to have a go at it."
With Katsidis riding in Sydney on Saturday, Heathcote has engaged Danny Nikolic for Woorim who has a ridden a group 1 winner previously for the owners, Ross and Judy Cutts.
The trainer is also hopeful Acquired can sneak into the How Now Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield. The mare is 23rd in order of entry, with the field restricted to 16 runners and four emergencies.
"Again it's a big leap for her, but she was consistent and ran some really nice races during the winter in Brisbane, so we'll see how she goes," he said.
Heathcote's stable star Buffering has been resting at a Sydney spelling farm before his next start, likely the Group 2 Roman Consul at Randwick on October 2.