Brisbane trainer Robert Heathcote aims to continue his good form by making it two wins in a week with two-year-olds raced by boutique breeders Gleeson Thoroughbreds.
Heathcote produced promising youngster Rothfire who won on debut at Eagle Farm last Saturday.
He bought Rothfire from Gleeson Thoroughbreds in a private sale and prepares another promising young horse, Jellishot, who runs in Saturday’s QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (1000m).
Jellishot is bred and raced by Gleeson Thoroughbreds which is headed by Wally Gleeson and his wife Jill.
The Gleesons have been a strong part of Queensland racing for decades with Wally, a former top amateur rider, winning two Corinthian Handicaps at Eagle Farm in the 1970s.
The Gleesons’ sons are also heavily involved in racing with one of them, Simon, on the committee of the Brisbane Racing Club.
They have built up a boutique breeding business near Chinchilla on the western Downs which has undergone extensive refurbishment in recent years.
The Gleesons have raced several horses with Heathcote and are hoping Jellishot may turn out the best.
Jellishot, who is by Spirit of Boom, won a trial at Doomben before finishing second to Rothfire in a Deagon trial last week.
“The Gleesons are good people and I was really happy when Rothfire, who they bred, won last week,” Heathcote said.
“I would love to win with Jellishot who they race as well as bred.
“Rothfire and Jellishot have been working together and there isn’t much between them. But with two-year-olds they have to do it on race day.”
Jellishot is eligible for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January and Saturday will have a strong bearing on whether she chases the big race.
Apprentice Stephanie Thornton who rode Jellishot in both her trials has retained the race ride.
Heathcote had a double at Eagle Farm last Saturday and looks to have a strong hand again.
One of his most interesting runners is former Tasmanian mare Life On The Wire.
A two time Group Three winner in Tasmania when trained by Scott Brunton, Life On The Wire was bought by clients of Heathcote at the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale in June.
They sent the mare to Heathcote to chase more black-type in the summer and she won a recent Doomben trial in smart time.
Thornton will also ride Life On The Wire in the Tomra Open Handicap (1000m) on Saturday.