Heathcote Has A Good Day Out At Doomben

Wednesday 16 March 2011-03-16  AAP Story

Trainer Rob Heathcote had a very good day at Doomben today with a winning treble and a very unlucky 2nd place with his filly, Starlistic in race 3 who sat in the death, 3 deep and fought on strongly for a good 2nd.

He kicked off the winning treble with the ex Sydneysider, 2 year old ‘Trump’ winning at his first run for Heathcote. “It was a nice effort from the young horse who still has a lot to learn but he will only get better with age, experience and I suspect more ground” Heathcote said. “he definitely has a nice future”, Robert said.
He may also may be tempted to chase winter carnival riches with Teepoh after the three-year-old helped give him a winning treble from his four runners.
Teepoh, steeping up to a middle distance for the first time in his career, wore down the Brian Smith-trained Harish for a long neck win in the Nitto Plate (2020m).
"I'm not surprised he won. From day one he's always shown me ability but he has not had much luck to date," Heathcote said.
"It was only a maiden but it was a good effort considering he was stepping up to 2020 metres at only his third run run this campaign. He is still very much on an upward learning curve and you just never know with improving horses like this “
Heathcote believes  Teepoh could measure up to a race like  the Group Three Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Eagle Farm in May if he continues to improve.
He won won the Grand Prix with Bell Academy in 2008.
He rounded out his winning treble with a strong win from Mr Nicholas in the class 5 CRC Handicap. The grey was first up since January 1 and Heathcote said he has been plagued by wet tracks and he simply hates them!
It was a superbly judged ride from an underrated jockey, Kelvin Wharton. “That ride took a lot of guts and I give him 10 out of 10 for that one” Heathcote said!
The grey 5 year old will now get his chance at the Saturday metropolitan grade after notching his 5th win in a class 6 mile in a couple of weeks.