Despite not having won a race in nearly 18 months, Rothfire will not be eased into retirement just yet, with trainer Robert Heathcote instead plotting another Group 1 challenge for the veteran gelding this weekend.
The seven-year-old will line up in the $1.5 million Doomben 10,000 on Saturday, marking his return to elite company for the first time since running fifth in the Moir Stakes last September.
Although injury has limited him to just 33 starts, Rothfire remains a 10-time winner and one-time Group 1 champion, having claimed the JJ Atkins Stakes as a two-year-old during the 2020 Winter Carnival.
“In all fairness, I will know when he’s ready to retire,” Heathcote said. “When he gives me the slightest sign that he no longer enjoys training, he no longer enjoys what he does, then I’ll know. I know this horse better than my wife.”
Rothfire has competed in four Queensland Winter Carnivals and returns to the Doomben 10,000 for a second time after finishing fifth in 2022. His lead-up run was a determined fourth in the Victory Stakes on May 3, a performance that convinced Heathcote he still has the ability to challenge top-level sprinters.
“Two horses smashed him in the lead, he fought them off and he was still there with 100 to go,” he said. “Under different circumstances, I think he can still win a big one. Tim Clark is confirmed to ride in the Doomben 10,000 then hopefully another crack at another Stradbroke.”
Currently rated a $26 outsider with betting sites, Rothfire will face a tough test against a quality field featuring Group 1 stars Overpass, Sunshine In Paris, Benedetta and Schwarz.
Punters eyeing the wide-open feature sprint can explore markets and promotions from Australia’s best bookmakers by visiting our full list of trusted betting platforms.