The Big Goodbye owners ready to roar

By Glenn Davis

Champion trainer Rob Heathcote expects the largest roar of the day will be heard if The Big Goodbye claims back-to-back wins at Doomben on Saturday.

The former Adelaide-based sprinter will be chasing his fifth win for Heathcote when the gelding lines up in the Benchmark 85 Handicap over 1110 metres.

The five-year-old notched up win number four with Heathcote and his seventh of his career when he narrowly won a 1200 metre Class 6 at Doomben on New Year’s Eve.

The Big Goodbye is raced by Thoroughbred Racing League’s "The Rogues" and is spearheaded by former National Rugby League great, Billy Slater.

He carries Queensland’s maroon colours famously worn by Slater during his illustrious rugby league career.

“There’s probably over 1,000 owners racing him and there’s always a big cheer when he wins,” Heathcote said.

“Micro ownerships are not new but it’s a growing concept.

“It’s already successful and will only get better.”

Heathcote was delighted with The Big Goodbye’s recent victory.

“His last win was huge against horses on the verge of Open company,” he said.

“I’m confident he’ll run well and he’s on the verge of getting into Open company himself.”

Heathcote's biggest concern with The Big Goodbye is a drop back in distance.

“He’s been a revelation for TRL and The Rogues who bought him as a tried horse and he’s clearly exceeded expectations” Heathcote said.

“My biggest worry is he’s dropping back in distance from 1200, which is not ideal, but we can only run him in what’s programmed.”

The Big Goodbye was purchased for $100,000 by The Racing League and made his debut for Heathcote in September of 2021 after being moved on from the Richard and Chantelle Jolly's stables in Adelaide.

He has had 13 starts for Heathcote, winning four times and placings on another six occasions.

Heathcote has only two starters at Doomben on Saturday in what is a quiet period for the five-time premiership winning trainer.

“This is my quiet time of the year as I start to get horses come back into work for the winter carnival,” he said.

“Startantes has just come back into work and I’m expecting Rothfire will return in a few weeks.”