A week after stable star Rothfire captured the G1 BRC Doomben 10,000, his Robert Heathcote trained stablemate Abounding (Rich Enuff) charged late to win the $300,000 G3 BRC BRC Sprint (1350m) in a photo finish.
Seventh last start in the G2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm, 5yo Abounding headed across the road to her more favoured Doomben and while she started at double figure odds, there appeared many chances in the field of 16.
With the Craig Cousins trained The Inflictor going to the front from barrier 8, the Tim Clark ridden Abounding settled in sixth position just off the back of the grey Cloudland (NZ).
As the home turn was reached, it appeared as if it would be a sprint home as the pace had not been hectic throughout and with The Inflictor getting an easy upfront, he was going to be hard to run down.
The Marc and Mitchell Conners trained NSW visitor Willaidow along with Annabel and Rob Archibald’s Tuned set out after The Instructor with Abounding coming off their back to make a challenge.
Coming down the outside from the tail, last start Listed Australian Turf Club Trophy winner Cifrado was powering at a significant rate of knots.
When the line was reached it was a photo finish with Abounding getting the nod to win by a nose from Cifrado, with a neck back to Harry's Yacht in third.
With the G1 Stradbroke and G1 Tatts Tiara as possible races for the mare to head to, Abounding could end the Brisbane Winter carnival and even more valuable commodity for connections.
Rob Heathcote’s stable rep Ollie Peoples was oncourse to discuss the win.
“Tim (Clark) sat on her, I think, once when she was a two- year-old, so obviously, unfortunately, Vlad couldn't ride today. He had a bit of an injury earlier on.
“I'm glad I got to have a chat to Tim earlier and told him she's finally drawn a gate and she's going so well.
“We think she's going as good as she was in the spring, and she just needs cover.
“So as long as he cuddles her, she's going to be strong and we were very confident going into today and it was a bit like last week, we couldn't believe the odds."
“She's furnished into a lovely mare. I think she's coming into career best form and she's getting better with age.
“I think the (Tatts) Tiara is on the way too, again, for another crack. So no, she's going great and congratulations to all the owners. They're such a great supporter of our stable and we love training for them and yeah, it's just a great horse to be a part of."
“I think she might now (G1 Stradbroke). She's got to have a run between now and the Tatts (Tiara) and winning this today, there's a ticket into the Stradbroke. So, we'll see how she comes through it. We'll talk to Tim Wilson and I think the Stradbroke might be the stepping stone to the Tatts (Tiara).”
Having picked up the ride, Tim Clark was very thankful to Vlad Duric.
“Obviously I feel for Vlad (Duric). He came and saw me and gave this mare a really good push so I've got to thank him for that.”
“She's been running well and from a good draw she was able to get a good run throughout. I was a bit held up before the turn, but she's got a good sharp dash and I was sort of holding on to her as long as I could.
“When I pushed the button, she just quickened up really nicely and thankfully got her nose down on the line."
“Rob's having a great carnival so there are couple of nice races for her for sure.”
Abounding was a $75,000 Magic Millions Book 2 purchase from Telemon Thoroughbreds for First Light Racing and Robert Heathcote Racing and has the overall record of seven wins and 12 placings from 32 starts with prizemoney $2,939,000.
Bred by Telemon Thoroughbreds, she is the best of four winners from seven foals to race from G2 placed Casino Prince mare Transonic, who has foaled a colt in the spring by G3 Canonbury Stakes winner Red Resistance, before being covered by the son of Russian Revolution once again.
Abounding is the best of 15 stakes performers for Rich Enuff, who stands at a fee of $11,000 (inc. GST) at Victorian’s Woodside Park Stud.
