Rothfire ready for the 2025 Russell Balding Stakes

Robert Heathcote says it might sound like the sort of line trainers use all the time, but he insists Rothfire is thriving ahead of his next assignment in the $3 million Russel Balding Stakes (1300m) at Randwick.

The rejuvenated eight-year-old arrives after scoring impressively in the Group 3 Sydney Stakes on Everest Day, and Heathcote believes the gelding has actually improved since that performance.

“He looks fantastic. In fact, I know it’s an old cliché and a lot of trainers say it, I think he looks better than what he did two weeks ago,” Heathcote said.

Following that win, Rothfire was given time to unwind at Euroa before heading to Flemington to have his feet managed by expert farrier John Bunting.

“He had three days running around in a paddock, and then he went further down to Flemington, where John Bunting is a master farrier. He tends to Rothfire’s feet because he doesn’t have the best hooves.”

“Then I just did what I did last time, floated him up on the Thursday night, a little bit of a light exercise this afternoon, a little light exercise Saturday morning, and off to the races.”

Heathcote remains in awe of the gelding’s durability, especially given the serious injury that once threatened to end his racing days.

“I’m unbelievably proud of him. With what this horse has gone through in his career, the level of injury that he suffered as a three-year-old, to not only compete at this high level, to succeed at this high level is quite extraordinary,” he said.

The task ahead is significant, with six runners backing up from The Everest including favourite Jimmysstar, but Rothfire’s record at slightly longer sprint trips offers encouragement.

“In Rothfire’s favour, he’s run second in two Stradbroke’s at 1400 metres,” Heathcote said.

“He’ll be up on the speed somewhere. If we can get a little bit of cover and Jason can time it right when the chips are down, he’ll be strong to the line.”

Heathcote could be in for another memorable weekend, with Abounding also lining up in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes after her impressive Group 2 Tristarc Stakes victory.

“Drawing barrier one, that will force Jamie (Melham) to stay on the paint, maybe three pairs back, be conservative, it’ll help her get the 1600 metres,” Heathcote said.

“It’s a good race but she’s in super form, and at the end of the day, I came down to Melbourne with her not even contemplating a run in the Empire Rose, and here we are on the third line of betting.”

If you’re betting on the Russel Balding Stakes or Empire Rose Stakes, compare value across Australia’s best betting sites first.