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By Glenn Davis
Robert Heathcote has never won the Magic Millions Classic or Guineas at the Gold Coast and is banking on the law of averages with Abounding on Saturday.
Abounding will spearhead the Heathcote army of nine runners on Magic Millions day and is a $8 chance in the Magic Millions Guineas over 1400 metres.
As well as Abounding, Heathcote also has three runners in the QTIS Magic Millions race with star sprinter Rothfire, a $3.20 favourite, being joined by Stuttering ($41) and Hatchet ($6).
“It’s the biggest and strongest Magic Millions representation I’ve ever had,” Heathcote said.
“But, unfortunately, the barrier gods haven’t been kind to us with Rothfire and Prince Of Boom drawing wide.
Toowoomba | Toowoomba Turf Club | 4:28 PM
“Abounding has drawn barrier nine but jumps from six, which is in her favour, and she’s a good chance.
“The markets have a high regard for her.
“She’s a filly who rarely runs a bad race but the question mark is whether she can get a strong 1400 metres.”
Abounding hasn’t started since jockey Martin Harley booted her to victory in the Listed Gold Edition over 1200 metres at Eagle Farm on December 16.
Aquis Park Gold Coast | Gold Coast Turf Club | 1:05 PM
“It was by choice we waited a month as we could have run in the Vo Rogue but Martin said she didn’t need another run and was at her top after the win,” Heathcote said.
Heathcote is confident Rothfire can give him his second Magic Millions QTIS winner following Buffering’s success in 2016.
Rothfire, who will be joined by Hatchet and Stuttering in the race, is coming off a brilliant win in the King Of The Mountain at Toowoomba on New Year’s day.
“We have to look after him because of his soundness issues but it was an outstanding win in the King Of The Mountain which qualified him for this race,” Heathcote said.
“Toowoomba is a quirky track and he had to work hard from a bad draw.
“I have to favour him as my best chance but Hatchet is second favourite and goes well second-up.”
Hatchet was an impressive first-up winner in a 1200 metre Class 6 race at Doomben on December 30 and has won two of his three starts second-up from a spell.
“Hatchet is a good chance as well and old Stuttering got beaten a nose by The Odyssey in 2021,” Heathcote said.
Stuttering also is a proven second-up winner and was running on strongly when eighth to Rothfire in the King Of The Mountain.
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