Multiple
Stakes winner Rothera could earn a spring campaign in Sydney if the gelding can
rediscover some of his old form in the Mount Franklin Open Handicap at Doomben on Saturday.
Rothera
will be having his first start for new trainer Brian Smith after being
transferred back to Queensland following a short stint with Melbourne trainer
Peter Moody.
Under
Moody, Rothera started seven times, winning the G3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m) on
the Hillside course last November before being runner-up in the Listed Ballarat Cup (2200m) the same
month.
Toowoomba
trainer Ben Currie prepared Rothera for most of his career but the six-year-old
also spent short stints with several other trainers.
Smith is
renowned for his ability to bring the best out of horses considered past their prime and he's hoping
Rothera can add his name to a long list.
Rothera
hasn't raced since finishing 10th to Green Moon in the G2 Blamey Stakes (1600m)
at Flemington on March 10 but has pleased Smith since arriving at his stables.
"He's
fit and very well and I'm hopeful he'll run a good race," Smith said.
"He's
been working nicely and I've given him two jump-outs.
"We'll
wait and see how he's come back before deciding if he'll go to Sydney but
there's not many suitable races around for him here."
Rothera's
last win in Queensland was on a heavy track in the Listed Member's Cup at Eagle Farm in March last year.
The
six-year-old is a renowned wet track specialist with four wins from five starts
on heavy going and three wins from six starts in the slow.
Smith has
seven other horses entered for Doomben but a wide draw will cost Jungle Heat a
start in the Racing Retro Handicap (1200m).
He rates the
lightly-raced Tuatara a good hope in the Vittoria QTIS Three-Year-Olds Handicap
(1200m) while Fleet Riane is one of his best chances in the Landfill Logistics
No Metro Wins Handicap (1350m).
"Tuatara
is quite promising but he's got an awkward draw to overcome and Fleet Riane is
knocking on the door," Smith said.
Fleet Riane
was beaten only half a length after being caught wide last start when fourth to
Marculoo at Doomben on July 4.
Tuatara
earned his chance at winning a Saturday metropolitan race following his last
start win in a 1200-metre Class One at the Gold Coast earlier this month.
Racing Queensland webnews July 27
Photo: Trackside Photography
