Heathcote hopeful of successful open company debut with En Pointe

By Glenn Davis

Fresh from a European holiday, trainer Rob Heathcote is hopeful En Pointe can complete a hat-trick of wins when the talented filly makes her open company debut at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

En Pointe - a Cejay Graham mount – returns after a three-month break in the Open Handicap over 1200 metres.

The daughter of Better Than Ready has drawn barrier four in her first start since winning on a soft track for apprentice Bailey Wheeler in a 1300-metre Benchmark race at Eagle Farm on April 6.

It was En Pointe’s first win at Eagle Farm in five attempts, but Heathcote had no hesitation returning to racing headquarters that day as she relishes rain affected tracks.

“She had really good form last campaign, but we decided to turn her out for a break when the winter carnival was upon her,” Heathcote said.

“It’s her first run in open company which is never easy for any horse.

“It’s a challenge coming out of restricted grade but I’m expecting a strong showing.”

En Pointe has been a great investment for her owners returning more than $315,000 in prizemoney after being sold for $37,000 at the Magic Millions March sales in 2021.

“She wasn’t an expensive filly, but she’s come a long way since she won her maiden at Dalby,” Heathcote said.

Heathcote has five starters at Eagle Farm including Poutchek, the first imported horse he has trained, in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap.

Poutchek will also be ridden by Graham who was aboard the three-year-old when she won for the first time in Australia in a 1400-metre maiden at Eagle Farm on July 210.

The daughter of Irish sire Ulysses has a big ownership team including First Light Racing who are strong supporters of the Heathcote stable.

Poutchek’s win at Eagle Farm was only her second start in Australia after she placed three times as a two-year-old in the United Kingdom.

“She’s a nice horse who has only had two starts for me,” Heathcote said.

“She’s not very big but she’s cleaned winded and I’m excited to see her step out in distance to 1800 metres as she’s bred to get a lot further.”

First Light Racing is dipping its toes into buying imported horses and had success with imported mare Ha Ha Ha who won in Sydney last week for champion trainer Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.