Rothfire returns to trackwork with The Everest in mind

In news that plenty of Australian racing fans will want to hear, Rob Heathcote‘s three-year-old gelding Rothfire is back on the track as he steps up his recovery from a career-threatening leg injury.

After winning the JJ Atkins 12 months ago and then the Group 2 Run To The Rose at Rosehill in September, ‘the Thriller from Chinchilla’ went amiss in the Golden Rose when a $1.55 favourite, squashing Heathcote’s plan to win The Everest.

Having not been seen on a racetrack since September 29th, Rothfire was given a soft time of it on the course proper at Eagle Farm on Tuesday morning.

“It’s been a very, very long steady, slow rehab for him,” Heathcote said.

“I’ve got him to the stage now where this morning he went three-quarter [pace for] 800m.

“Ben Thompson rode him for me.

“He just cruised up the straight in just a tick under 28 [seconds].”

It has been a slow road to recovery for the Rothesay gelding, and Heathcote is happy with how he has progressed.

“He moved freely,” he said.

“He’s pulled up well, his joints are good.

“Probably do a little bit more work with him on Saturday and then I reckon I’ll flick him out for a couple of weeks.”

Prior to his mishap in the Golden Rose, Rothfire was a $6 second-favourite for The Everest, which is again on the radar for the star sprinter.

“The goal is Sydney spring and that’s not until September, so time is on my side,” Heathcote said.

“We’ve got him to this stage; we’ve taken him to a level of intensity that I was hoping to get to without any issues.

“We’ve achieved that.”

When asked about a potential timeline, Heathcote was trying to contain his excitement.

“I only want to give him a couple of weeks out just to mentally freshen him because I’m going to set him a big task, what he faces in September,” he said.

“You know, we are hoping to A) let’s get him back to the races sound, B) successfully and C) The Everest.”

Rothfire is currently a $21 chance in the early betting for the $12,000,000 sprint.