A double
from Fire Up Fifi and Racing Heart put the smile back on trainer Rob Heathcote's
face at Doomben on Saturday.
Heathcote
has spent an anxious time waiting to see if Oakleigh Plate winner Woorim's
spring campaign in Melbourne is over after discovering the sprinter had a leg
problem before trackwork on Thursday.
Heathcote has
ordered further scans on Sunday and hopes to have the results of Woorim's
troublesome off front joint known early in the week.
"He's
had a slight setback but I'm not sure how bad it is," Heathcote said.
"I've
had the leg scanned and so far it looks good but I'm having the leg scanned again on
Sunday and we'll know more in a couple of days.
"There doesn't appear to be any lesions
or tears so the signs are pretty positive."
Woorim is due to leave Brisbane shortly for the
McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on September 15.
Meanwhile Fire
Up Fifi earned a well deserved break and a long range shot at the Listed
Bernborough Handicap at Doomben during the summer following a record breaking
win in the Mount Franklin Handicap.
Fire Up Fifi, perfectly ridden by former Kiwi
apprentice Ryan Hurdle, set a new course record for the 1600 metre trip,
shaving 0.01 seconds off the previous mark.
The five-year-old mare made it five wins from
seven starts this campaign with a decisive one length victory over Grey
Assignment with Lucky Luna only a short-neck away third.
The
daughter of Bradbury's Luck, who was passed in after failing to reach her
reserve of $20,000 at the 2009 Magic Millions yearling sales, took her stakes earnings to almost
$193,000 with the eighth win of her career.
Heathcote is
convinced Fife Up Fifi can make the step up in grade next campaign to chase Stakes
races.
He intended
spelling Fire Up Fifi following her runaway win at Eagle Farm last
start but had second thoughts and kept her in training for another week.
"She
pulled up so well after last Saturday's win I had a look at the calendar and
saw this race which looked perfect for her," Heathcote said.
"I
know I said last week she was going for a spell but she'll definitely be going
to the paddock after this and will come back to prepare for the Bernborough."
Hurdle has
developed a strong affinity with Fire Up Fifi after recording his third win
from five starts on the grey mare.
Heathcote
had another good day at the office with Racing Heart also successful in the
Canadian Club Handicap (2100m).
Racing Heart
won a tight three-way finish by a head over Cash 'N' Style with a neck to third
placegetter Rambling On.
Racing Queensland webnews August
18
Photo:
Trackside Photography
