About as tough as they come, Rob Heathcote’s Rothesay gelding Rothfire was all quality from the very start, winning six of his seven starts at 2 highlighted by a stunning victory G1 BRC JJ Atkins (1600m), and on Saturday the rising 9yo powered to the line to capture the time-honoured $1.5m G1 BRC Doomben 10,000 (1200m).
Unwanted in the betting with only two in the field of 15 starting at larger prices, jockey Brad Rawiller jumped Rothfire away from the gates but was unfortunately planted wide for the entire trip, coming into the straight as the widest runner in the field.
With the speedy Zarastro ensuing a solid temp up from, the home turn was reached and the runs started to come with last start Listed Ascot Handicap winner Spicy Martini darting back towards the inside rail as the James McDonald ridden 3yo Napoleonic was starting to come down the outside.
Napoleonic and Rothfire were both working home together down the outside, but the battle-hardened war-horse Rothfire just packed too much punch, pulling clear to record his second elite level score to win by a length.
Finishing second in what was an excellent effort, the Toby Edmonds trained Spicy Martini added further gloss to her potential broodmare value, while Napoleonic was outstanding first up, finishing third.
Trainer Rob Heathcote couldn’t speak highly enough of Rothfire.
“What a journey this horse has taken us on,” enthused Heathcote. “Oli Peoples rides him in all his work, he's got tears flowing.”
“I was here when Black Caviar won, Buffering ran third and I was here when Buff got knocked off so redemption is sweet.
“What a ride by Brad Rawiller, he came up here for one ride. I love him.
“It was a bit of a crazy week because we didn't know who was going to be riding him. There was a stage there when it was going to be one of the local boys, but I really wanted one of the southern boys because they just get the job done.
“Brad got it done for us today, it's a very special story and I thought we'd reached the pinnacle when he won the Sydney Stakes, but this one tops it off.
“He's won nearly $6 million for us now, so it's just unbelievable. This is the culmination of my career, I've had many highlights but to win this race in front of such a wonderful crowd against a quality field and with all my family here, it means the world to me. It's just super.”
Heading to the meeting for just one ride, it was clearly worth the trip for Brad Rawiller.
“It makes it even better for Nash to greet me when I came back in.” said Rawiller. “I had so much confidence coming into the race, I know you could make a case for him being past his best, but the two iron men have combined.
“It was D Day for both of us, and I thought I had a genuine chance in a Group 1. I've won 26 now and I'd like to think I've got some more left in me.
“I knew he had the speed but I didn't want to get into a speed battle because it would have been game over.
“I loved the three-wide, four-wide line for him today. I thought we'd be able to find the best ground out there, and when he came back underneath me he got a little bit strong.
“He was picking up before the turn and with old horses, you just need to give them that little bit of confidence.
“You know he'll keep giving because he's a fighter, but he also has to look after himself so you can't do it at both ends.
“The whole race I was pretty happy with how it was panning out, and I had all the confidence in the world even after seeing him in the mounting yard.
“I couldn't believe how good he looked, so full credit to Rob and his team. I knew the trainer had done his job and he seemed a very happy horse, so I thought we might be on here today.”
In what was his seventh black type victory, Rothfire took his overall record to 12 wins and 10 placed efforts from 43 starts with earnings of $5,759,375.
Bred by Gleeson Thoroughbred Connections Pty Ltd, Rothfire is one of three winners from five to races out of the Hussonet mare Huss On Fire, who has now been retired from broodmare duties.
Rothfire is the best of 10 stakes performers for the G2 Queensland Guineas-winning Fastnet Rock stallion Rothesay who passed on in 2024 after covering for 13 season straight.
