3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after Rothfire takes out the Group 2 Mitty’s McEwen Stakes at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Rothfire (R Heathcote/Damian Lane) - $5.50
2nd: Zoustyle (T Gollan/Damien Oliver) - $11.00
3rd: Coolangatta (C Maher & D Eustace/Jamie Kah) - $2.50
Winning Time: 58.90 Last 600m: NA
Margins: ¾ Length x 1-¼ Lengths
Rothfire returns to the winner's circle with a BANG! @LaneDamian pic.twitter.com/VgoU94IJkG
— Racing.com (@Racing) September 3, 2022
Winning Trainer: Robert Heathcote
On celebrating another feature win at Moonee Valley: "Gee, love this race track. I've had some good times here. It was back in 2016 we farewelled the great Buffering and I've come back here today with a horse that I thought might have been as good but then he suffered a bad injury.
"That's his first win back since he suffered that injury and a lot of the owners are here today and I'm one very, very proud trainer.
On his comeback: "I said it would be a miracle if he ever got back to the races, he did, it would be a miracle if he could be competitive at this level and it's a miracle he's come back and won."
"I was happy with him because this winter carnival at home, I could train him properly. I've been walking on egg shells since the injury and his run in the Stradbroke - a Group 1 over 1400 - he was ever so brave. After three weeks off, he's come back, he kept that residual fitness, and I haven't had to do a lot with him.
What's next: "I'd like to win another Moir and another Manikato. I love coming back here."
Winning Jockey: Damian Lane
On what the win means: "I'm just rapt for the connections, obviously they nearly lost their horse a couple of years ago, so it's just great to get him back to the races let alone competing at this level, winning at this level. So well done to everyone involved.
On how the race unfolded: "It unfolded great for me. I pinged the gates and I actually thought I might take it up but Zoustyle was quick to boot through and I got a lovely drop on Coolangatta.
"I thought I was the winner on straightening, although Zoustyle showed some resistance, but he was good late.
On whether there were any concerns dropping back to 1000m: "I guess so if you look at his form on a bit of paper, but if you go back and watch his 1000-metre runs and his trials, he's always so sharp at that sort of trip. That gave me good confidence that, off a freshen, he'd be right to go at the 1000."
