Queensland trainer Robert Heathcote has fond memories of Moonee Valley through the exploits of multiple Group 1 winner Buffering.
A five-time winner at The Valley, Buffering also won the Group 3 McEwen Stakes (1000m) in 2011 which 11 years later the trainer was able to claim with Rothfire on Saturday.
In a one-two finish for Queensland sprinters, Rothfire ($6) under the guidance of Damian Lane, raced to a three-quarter length win from Zoustyle ($10) with the $2.50 favourite Coolangatta a further 1-¼ lengths off third.
Saturday’s return to The Valley was Heathcote’s first since Buffering retired in 2016.
“Gee, I love this racetrack,” Heathcote said.
“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.”
Heathcote thought it would be a miracle if Rothfire ever made it back to the racetrack, let alone be competitive at stakes level and even win.
But Heathcote gained confidence with how Rothfire campaigned during the winter with a focus on his Stradbroke Handicap run at Eagle Farm.
“I was happy with him because this winter carnival at home, I could train him properly,” Heathcote said.
“I’ve been walking on eggshells since the injury and his run in the Stradbroke, a Group 1 over 1400 (metres), he was ever so brave.
“After three weeks off, he came back, he kept residual fitness, and I haven’t had to do a lot with him.”
Heathcote said two Group 1 Moonee Valley sprints are the next likely targets for Rothfire, the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) on September 23 and the Manikato Stakes (1200m) on October 22.
Buffering won the Manikato Stakes in 2013 along with the Moir Stakes in 2014 and 2015.